Danny Garcia has opportunity for new life in a crowded welterweight division against Errol Spence Jr. - CBSSports.com
Danny Garcia has opportunity for new life in a crowded welterweight division in contradiction of Errol Spence Jr.
You know the cycle. Boxing is forever in a rotation of "boom, lull, dead and boom" as stars rotate in and out of the sport's landscape. That's also the story of many fighters: booming early in their career, including to the championship ranks and having their careers declared dead when they pick up a loss or two.
As boxing enters what looks to be the start of another boom -- with heavyweight, lightweight and welterweight all loaded with talent and compelling battles -- Danny Garcia is trying to revitalize his own career and back to the ranks of world champions for the Good time since 2017 when he faces WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
After starting his career 33-0 and capturing the WBA crown at welterweight -- counting a lengthy reign as junior welterweight champ -- Garcia lost a Fast decision to Keith Thurman in March 2017. The loss felt like something approaching karma when Garcia had arguably been gifted decision wins over Lamont Peterson and Mauricio Herrera. Two battles later, Garcia picked up a more decisive loss, dropping a Fast decision to Shawn Porter for then-vacant WBC welterweight belt.
In the wake of Porter's win over Garcia, Errol Spence Jr. entered the ring and threw down a challenge to the winner, which Spence won in one of the best battles of 2019 by split decision.
Can't get enough boxing and MMA? Get the new in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news.
With Spence and Terence Crawford emerging as the top stars in the welterweight division, and Thurman, Porter and Manny Pacquiao all grabbing the spotlight, Garcia has felt like the odd man out in a crowded and competitive 147-pound scene.
Rebounding from the Porter loss with wins over Adrian Granados and Ivan Redkach didn't right Garcia back into the larger boxing consciousness, but he was the man Premier Boxing Champions tabbed to face Spence while Spence beat Porter, a fight complicated by Spence's repulsive high-speed crash and a global pandemic.
"I picked Danny Garcia because he's a tough opponent with a granite chin. He's always in tough cessation fights. He's going to bring the best out of me," Spence said during a current virtual media workout. "If I took a tune-up argues, I wouldn't be as focused or did as I am right now. I know Danny's dad is pushing him to take my belts in my hometown. So I'm staying focused to make sure that doesn't happen."
Garcia was once in station to be the man who did the picking. Now he's cause the picked. But he has the opportunity he's been waiting for: the chance to get in the ring with one of boxing's pound-for-pound elites and try to elevate himself to any number of huge wealth fights.
Furthermore, a win over Spence would possibly land Garcia in the discussion for 2020 Fighter of the Year. That's the much of one big win in boxing, the chance to pick up every bit of momentum and prestige lost in defeats to Thurman and Porter.
Of flows, getting that win is a big ask. Garcia has never been as big of an underdog as he will when he faces Spence. Currently, Garcia is a +350 underdog at William Hill Sportsbook even with the questions surrounding Spence's health following his car crash. Without those questions, it's liable Spence would be even more heavily favored.
Garcia says he isn't focused on the odds, his losses or what resplendent Spence will be in for the fight. He is training for the best version of Spence, he said, and training for a big future.
"Everything I've done in the past, it doesn't really mean anything any more," Garcia told Yahoo Sports. "I have to go in there on [Saturday] and this is my new future."
Komentar
Posting Komentar