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Mike CoppingerESPN
Mikey Garcia, a former four-division champion, confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday that he has retired from boxing.
In a sport filled with self-promoting fighters, Garcia was understated. And in typical fashion for Garcia, he simply changed his Instagram profile to indicate he’s a “retired world champ” in lieu of a retirement announcement.
“My brother Mikey had a great boxing career,” his older brother and trainer, Robert Garcia, told ESPN on Tuesday. “Becoming a five-time champion of the world in four divisions is something very few have done. I am very proud of my brother for everything he accomplished in boxing. Now it’s time for him to enjoy his life together with his family and loved ones.”
The 34-year-old from Southern California captured titles at 126 pounds, 130, 135 and 140. He attempted to become a five-division champion with a challenge of Errol Spence Jr. in March 2019 at 147 pounds, but Garcia was shut out on all three cards.
Garcia (40-2, 30 KOs) remained at welterweight for the final two fights of his career. The boxer-puncher scored a unanimous-decision victory over Jessie Vargas in February 2020 before he dropped a majority decision to Sandor Martin in October in a major upset.
Garcia’s resume also includes wins over Orlando Salido, Adrien Broner, Juan Manuel Lopez, Robert Easter Jr. Guided by his older brother Robert Garcia, one of the sport’s best trainers, Mikey was a staple of pound-for-pound lists until his defeat to Spence.