Theophane takes Garcia to school but gets punished by a bad decision

Golden Boy Promotions and ESPN2 put on a crowd pleasing, action packed fight from the Don Haskins Convention Center, El Paso, Texas. The co-main event matched undefeated former US national amateur champion Danny Garcia, who was stepping up in class to take on the Globetrotter Ashley Theophane. Garcia, was protected, until now, but in his eagerness to look good, he allowed Theophane to control many spots in the fight, and at times even shine in the action.

Theophane is a good boxer with a great defensive awareness. His punches lack explosive power but he makes it work for him. Theophane caught Garcia with a left hook and straight all through the fight. Garcia was able to get inside and counter well, but he did try too early on to end things, and as a result took too many chances. As a result, he got hit more times than him or his team would have wanted. Garcia also failed to set things up behind a jab, and stands straight up, which provides a big target. He continually attempted big counters, both to the head and the body. His body work needs a bit of work as it cost him a point deduction for numerous low blows to Theophane.

Both guys had similar punch numbers in a quiet first round but it was Theophane 25-4-1 (7) that landed the more eye-catching shots – most notably with a right hand/left hook sequence near the end of the frame that stiffened Garcia 16-0 (10) for a beat.

The Londoner was also successful in the second and third rounds with single, digging shots, many of which landed cleanly, as his young opponent abandoned his jab and struggled to answer back effectively. Theophane’s punches were wide and really should have been countered by Garcia, but the American was reduced to landing occasional, glancing punches upstairs and sporadic body shots that failed to trouble the Londoner.

Theophane almost struck gold in the first minute of the eighth, however, when one of his looping right hands sneaked its way past a Garcia hook and wobbled the young prospect. With his opponent losing focus, the Englishman continued to land his right hand for the remainder of the frame – bloodying the 21-year-old’s nose and collecting the round.

The judges were split and scored the fight 95-94 for Ashley Theophane, and 95-94 and 96-94 for Danny Garcia.

I would have given it to Theophane 96-94 but because of the point deduction in the ninth I had it 96-93 to him. Judge Gerardo Venzor with his score of 96-94 obviously did not follow referee Robert Velez’s instructions to deduct a point.

Golden Boy need to readdress how to bring this kid along as he was not ready for the step up in class and it showed as Theophane made him miss when he moved around the ring and blocking majority of Garcia’s attack. Theophane had the better attack and wobbled Garcia a few times. Theophane with only 7 kayos in 25 wins rocked and had Garcia clinching for dear life when he connected. This does not reflect well on Garcia’s chin.

For Ashley to take a split decision loss in Texas to a Golden Boy fighter on a Golden Boy promotion. He should feel proud of his performance.

There is definitely more to come from the slick Londoner. He did his reputation no harm.

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