Tuesday 25 July 2017 10:07, UK
Mike Garcia is ready to step up a gear when he takes on the biggest test of his career in the shape of Adrien Broner.
The Californian is moving up to super-lightweight for the first time in the all-American clash at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
I haven't had the need to really push myself and Adrien Broner might be the one that pushes me to the limit, push me into second, third or fourth gear and bring the best out of me.
Garcia is already a three-weight world champion but even with no title on the line in New York, the unbeaten 29-year-old believes 'The Problem' will bring another side out of him.
"I am fighting a four-weight world champion who has had some great fights, a great career, and has fought some of the best in those divisions in the last few years," he said.
"He is definitely one of my toughest challenges, especially because of the size. He has fought at light-welterweight before and is a big guy so that is probably the biggest challenge of the fight.
"You are definitely going to see more from Mikey Garcia and Broner is going to be the one to push me and bring the best out of me.
"He's a great fighter and if he pushes me then you are going to see another side to Mikey Garcia you still haven't seen. After this fight, I really expect to give you guys even more memorable fights, bigger fights and bigger challenges that will really put me on top of the sport."
Garcia's three world titles have come at super-featherweight, featherweight and lightweight, the latter seeing him knock out WBC champion Dejan Zlaticanin in the third round.
Broner has already owned a world title at super-lightweight and even though 'Mikey' doesn't expect him to struggle to make the 140lbs weight, he knows he will be in against the biggest and best fighter he has faced.
"You can't deny his speed," Garcia said. "His counter-punching ability is great and also his size advantage could be on his side. He's probably going to walk into the much bigger and much heavier than me.
"He's also a very big puncher so they are the things we are training and preparing for but I still believe in my ability as a boxer and my technique, strategy, timing and range will help me prevail.
"I haven't had the need to really push myself and Adrien Broner might be the one that pushes me to the limit, push me into second, third or fourth gear and bring the best out of me."
Watch Broner vs Garcia live from the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, from 1am, Sunday, July 30, on Sky Sports Action (Ch407).
