Why Danny Garcia is a suitable foe for Floyd Mayweather Jr.

By Boxing News - 09/18/2013 - Comments

garcia7672After the final bell of Floyd Mayweather Jr. – Saul “Canelo” Alvarez rung, the search was on for Floyd’s next foe come Cinco de Mayo weekend 2014. Everyone from 160 to 147 were willing to put their bid in on the Floyd sweepstakes. Even light heavyweight titlist Bernard Hopkins stated he can make 160 for Floyd. But when it came to Danny Garcia, who had a career win against Lucas Matthysse before the Canelo fight, most people disregard the thought.

The reason being Garcia is too small for Floyd. Floyd just made a statement with the Canelo victory that size alone isn’t going to beat him. And just remember that Floyd is a small welterweight. He stated in the post-fight interview that he woke up fight day weighing 146. Most junior welters put on 10 to 15 pounds after the weigh-in before the fight.

Danny Garcia proved against Lucas Matthysse that he is the real deal. Most want to point out the hype of Matthysse but the hype was warranted. Matthysse’s destruction of Lamont Peterson mixed with Garcia’s trouble with Zab Judah in the championship rounds rightfully gave boxing people doubts on Garcia’s chances last Saturday. But Garcia proved that not only can he take a big shot, he can beat a big puncher with solid jabs and selective flurries.

Danny Garcia is in his prime with a lethal left hook and good hand speed. People want to give Floyd flack for fighting foes that are long in the tooth. Yet Floyd just fought his third fighter 30 years old or younger in three of his last four bouts. And Garcia has got a father/trainer with a big mouth to boot which will add drama on an overused all access block.

I know Pacquiao fans and casual fans still clamor for a Floyd-Manny showdown but that fight is never going to happen as long as Pacquiao has Bob Arum as a promoter. Floyd has been consistent since leaving Top Rank with not facing Top Rank fighters. That means Tim Bradley, Mike Alvarado and Brandon Rios are out of Floyd sweepstakes as well. I digress.

Danny Garcia doesn’t have the name worthy of a blockbuster but neither do any other Golden Boy fighter at 147 or 154. And just because Garcia isn’t a household name doesn’t mean he’s not worthy. He proved yet again not to doubt him. You can make a sure bet that he won’t make it easy for Floyd. I’m not saying that Garcia is going to beat Floyd but I believe he can produce some drama in a fight that is in dire need of one due to the spotlight Floyd commands.

Garcia has the skills and the ring IQ to make Floyd work to win rounds ala Miguel Cotto. And Floyd can make things interesting by making the fight at 140 and going for a shot at being the second man to hold three ring titles at the same time after Henry Armstrong. Remember 140 is the only weight he didn’t win the ring title since Ricky Hatton and Kostya Tsyzu were both Showtime fighters during his period at the weight.



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