For the second time in three fights, Roberto Garcia (37-3, 23 KO’s) has pulled out of a fight due to issues making the contracted weight.
‘The Italian Sensation,’ Phil Lo Greco (26-1, 14 KO’s), hopes to make the best out of the opportunity when he faces undefeated Errol Spence (16-0, 13 KO’s) Saturday from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
Recently, Lo Greco has been a sparring partner for undefeated fighter Jessie Vargas in his preparation to face Timothy Bradley for the vacant WBO welterweight title on June 27th in Carson, California.
The 30-year old adds that it has helped.
“It has definitely helped big time because I’ve been training up in the mountains; Jessie is fighting for a world title, great sparring together, very competitive sparring.
“Fighters take opportunities no matter what. I had 36 hours to get ready, and I said yes,” said Lo Greco.
Earlier in the day when Tha Boxing Voice’s Nestor Gibbs interviewed Ken Porter, the father and trainer of former IBF World welterweight champion Shawn Porter, said Lo Greco “wasn’t right in the head.”
Porter was speaking about Lo Greco’s place in boxing, not believing he has what it takes to fight anymore following a lengthy layoff.
He also pointed out that following a sparring session months ago with his son, Shawn came up to him and said regarding Lo Greco, “He’s not a fighter anymore.”
Is Lo Greco serious about his boxing career? He implied that the sparring session with Porter was not a sign of a decline in hunger.
“It’s sparring. Whatever,” said Lo Greco.
It was rumored Roberto Garcia was up to 175 lbs. two days before the fight, a clear sign that he didn’t even try to make weight and doesn’t give a damn about boxing anymore.
Dropping out of a fight once for weight issues is bad enough, twice is asinine. It’s time for him to think about life after boxing, and Lo Greco added that Garcia is an example of why the sport continues to struggle.
“That’s why boxing is taking a dump. Fighters aren’t [being] professionals. I was able to do it in 36 hours, and he had probably six weeks’ notice; it’s all excuses.
“I’m not going to comment on his reasons why because it’s none of my business; that’s tomorrow night.
“I’m just going to do the best; be the best fighter possible tomorrow night, and have fun,” he added.
Lo Greco has a unique background; he’s Italian but resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His heritage is very important to him, and he fights with a purpose every time he steps into the ring.
“I fight for many reasons. I fight for them [the people]; they’ve supported me since day one and have never let me down. Tomorrow night, I’m going to do all I can to not let my fans and my supporters down.”
