It was a lopsided fight in favor of Garcia as shown in the round-by-round report by veteran boxing writer Ben Thompson of Fytehype.com.
Malignaggi ((33-7-0, 7KO) of Brooklyn, NY failed to win a single round and was likely headed for a KO loss even without the referee’s intervention in round 9.
Philboxing’s Ed de la Vega said the fight was mismatched from the beginning despite Garcia’s seemingly weak performance in his last fight.
“Although Malignaggi appears to have won round 2, he started bleeding from a cut above the right eye from a legitimate punch as early as the third round and he continued to bleed again in round 5. In the early part of the 6th, a cut appeared in his right check bone adding further to his misery. The cut on Malignaggi’s eye got worse as round 8th progressed and before the 9th started, the doctor took a good look at the cut. Late in the 9th after Malignaggi almost stumbled after a hit, the referee decided he has “seen enough” and stopped the fight,” de la Vega writes in his Phiboxing post Sunday.
Garcia is coming off a majority decision win against former IBF light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York last April 11.
Talking about his win and his debut at 147 pounds, Garcia said he feels stronger at 147 welterweight limit where he would likely fight next.
“I feel strong, I feel good. I used my jab,” said Garcia, 27, of Philadelphia. “I still have things to work on, but I’m proud of myself — 147 is where it’s at. I felt a lot stronger [at 147]. In the ninth round, I felt like it was round 1. I need to work on shortening up punches and sticking with the game plan,” Garcia added.
With the win, Garcia remains unbeaten in 31 professional fights. It is also a significant win for Garcia as it marked his first win in the full welterweight limit of 147 pounds where some lucrative fights are waiting to be tapped.
The win also improves Garcia’s career record to 31 wins and 18 knockouts while Malignaggi’s record dropped to 33-7-0 with only seven knockouts.
