Fighting Herrera and Peterson wasn't actually taking bad fights. Just how the fights played out and the results were horrendous for someone with Garcia's accomplishment and youth and the way everyone rightfully predicted his career trajectory at that point. I don't think anyone really saw this coming after he beat Matthysse even his biggest hater if they were ever being honest to themselves... Salka was an embarrassment. Scorecards for the Herrera fight were an embarrassment. Peterson at a 144 catchweight after those two performances was weak sauce. Garcia needs to get it together but I fear he never will. He will be like Devon Alexander. Highly ranked unified champion with good scalps before they are 25-26 years old and then completely burnt out after that. Peaked too soon with nothing else to develop or build on.
Paulie is a world class talent with local boxing club punching power. Big name, no risk (can't lose by KO, Haymon won't let Garcia lose on points), so a win-win really.