LOS ANGELES — The buildup to the lightweight unification fight between Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. has been respectful with no trash talk, but when the combatants came face to face at Friday’s weigh-in at Staples Center, things got animated, at least on Easter’s side.
Easter, several inches taller than Garcia, began jawing at the stone-faced Garcia. It went on for several seconds as the fans cheered wildly until they broke their stare and turned to the crowd to show off their physiques.
“I told Mikey there ain’t no more talking. I’m coming in shape,” Easter said. “It’s going to be an exciting fight for all the fans that are here from my side and from his side. We’re just ready to fight and put on a great performance for L.A.
“This fight is champion versus champion. It’s going to determine who’s the best (at 135 pounds), for real. (Saturday) is going to be the best of the best and you’re going to see the best out of me.”
Both made weight seemingly with no issues. Garcia weighed on the division limit at 135 pounds, and Easter weighed 134.5 pounds for the fight that will headline the Showtime-televised tripleheader on Saturday (10 p.m. ET).
It’s the 10th lightweight title unification fight in history and first since 2009.
“All the work is done; the talking is done,” said Garcia, the heavy favorite. “Now it’s time to settle this thing in the ring.”
Garcia (38-0, 30 KOs), 30, of Moreno Valley, California, who has won world titles in four weight classes, is returning to lightweight to defend his belt for the first time after having won a junior welterweight title in February but then quickly vacating it in order to face Easter.
Easter (21-0, 14 KOs), 27, of Toledo, Ohio, will be making his fourth title defense of the vacant belt he won in September 2016.
The heavyweight co-feature is a 10-round fight between former world title challengers Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (28-1, 24 KOs), 39, a Cuban defector fighting out of Miami, and Razvan Cojanu, 31, a Romania native fighting out of Los Angeles.
Ortiz weighed in at 241 pounds for his first fight since being knocked out in the 10th round challenging for a world title against Deontay Wilder on March 3.
“I’m going to do what I’ve always done in my career and even in the amateurs, and that’s just fight,” said Ortiz, who is aiming for a rematch of his fight of the year contender with Wilder. “It’s going to be no different. I’m going to come out punching. I’m going to show why I’m known as the most avoided fighter.”
Cojanu (16-3, 9 KOs) was 269 pounds for his first fight since losing a unanimous decision to then-world titleholder Joseph Parker in May 2017.
“I’m in very good shape. (Saturday) night it’s showtime,” Cojanu said. “We’re going to bring the pain. The secret to beating Luis Ortiz is two things. One, I cannot say because I’m in front of the cameras but the other one is the heart.”
Mario Barrios (21-0, 13 KOs), 23, of San Antonio, weighed 141.5 pounds and Jose Roman (24-2-1, 16 KOs), 30, of Garden Grove, California, was 142 for their 10-round contracted for 142 pounds.
“Everything about fighting on Showtime excites me. I’ve been working for this and dreaming about this day since I was a little kid,” Barrios said. “Now it’s here and I want to take full advantage of it. I hope the fans can expect a lot. I’m here to showcase my talents and they are going to see fireworks.”
Roman said he has special motivation for the fight.
“My cousin’s son is battling leukemia, so I dedicate this fight to him,” Roman said. “He’s only 3 years old. It’s really hard because I’m a father and just imagining that breaks my heart.”
Also on Friday, the California State Athletic Commission released the official purse figures. Garcia’s purse is $1 million and Easter’s is $500,000, though both will earn substantially more. Ortiz’s purse is $200,000, Cojanu will make $100,000, Barrios $30,000 and Roman $20,000.