Danny Garcia focused on legacy in next chapter of his career
Danny Garcia has been at or near the pinnacle of the sport for more than a decade.
The one-time amateur star established himself as an elite fighter on the pro level with one of the most remarkable runs in recent history between 2011 and 2013, victories over Nate Campbell, Kendall Holt, Erik Morales (to win a major title), Amir Khan, Morales again, Zab Judah and Lucas Matthysse at 140 pounds.
He went on to win a belt at 147 when he outpointed Robert Guerrero in 2016, making him a two-division champion.
And now, still a major player at 34 years old, he is embarking on a quest to become a three-division titleholder by winning a belt at 154. That journey begins on July 30 in Brooklyn, where he’ll face Jose Benavidez Jr. in his debut at the weight (Showtime).
If he beats Benavidez, he hopes to get a title shot next year.
“My dream was always to be a three-division world champion,” Garcia told Boxing Junkie. “I won titles at 140 and 147. I feel like this is icing on the cake, going for my dreams. All the great champions moved up and did it, Cotto, Duran, De La Hoya, Mosley, all those type of guys. I want to be in that category.
“… That’s what motivates me now, my legacy and my dreams. That’s what’s pushing my passion for the sport. I really want to finish strong to show who Danny Garcia is for the history books.”
Garcia (36-3. 21 KOs) is coming off the most one-sided loss of his career, a unanimous decision against titleholder Errol Spence Jr. in December 2020.
The challenger offered no excuses, saying he “dared to be great” and gave a solid account of himself against a pound-for-pounder. At the same time, it was more difficult than ever to make 147 after fighting at the weight since 2015.
It was time to make the move to 154 and pursue the aforementioned dreams of winning a title in a third division.
“It was getting a little difficult,” he said of making 147. “I wasn’t feeling as strong as I used to 147. I knew it was time to go up. … I actually feel stronger. I don’t have to kill myself losing weight. I’m able to run better, I’m faster, I’m able to push myself more.
“… I shouldn’t have to train to lose weight. You train to get better. I can do that now.”
Garcia has spent a lot of time honing his craft in the gym. He’s been boxing competitively for around 25 years, almost 15 as a professional. He has fought 270 rounds, according to BoxRec.com.
Still, he said he feels as good as ever going into his fight against Benavidez (27-1-1, 18 KOs), the older brother of super middleweight contender David Benavidez. And the fact he hasn’t fought in more than 18 months, he added, only helps him.
“I feel fresh, I feel great,” he said. “… I’ve been through the fire in the boxing game, so everything I’ve been through has just made me better, made me stronger. And I feel like this rest I had really made me better. It gave me time to think, gave me time to heal. And I feel boxing is more mental than physical. You gotta be mentally 100 percent fresh and strong. You can be in shape, but if you feel mentally tired, then it’s going to show in the ring.
“I feel mentally strong, I feel mentally rested. And the rest is just … putting in the work. I’ve been doing that for a long time so that’s nothing for me.”
