By Jason Kim: In a battle of welterweight prospects, unbeaten Danny Garcia (19-0, 12 KO’s) stopped Jorge Romero (17-3, 15 KO’s) in the 9th round on Friday night at the Moon Palace Resort, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Garcia, only 22, hurt Romero with a big left hook to the head in the 9th that sent Romero to the canvas. Romero, 20, made it back to his feet and was met with several powerful rights from Garcia, which prompted the referee to step in and halt the action before Romero could get really hurt.

In winning the fight, Garcia captures the interim World Boxing Council Youth World welterweight title. Garcia looked good in the fight while offense, landing well with left hooks throughout the fight. However, Garcia was much less impressive on defense, as Romero was able to hit him almost at will. Garcia’s offense mostly served as his defense in this fight, because it was the only time that he wasn’t getting hit by Romero.

Although Garcia showed some good skills and decent power, he needs a tremendous amount of work before he’s ready to take on the better fighters in the welterweight division. Right now, Garcia just isn’t ready for any of the top guys in the welterweight division, even someone like 19-year-old Saul Alvarez.

Garcia ended up with a badly swollen right eye from the many shots that Romero was able to hit him with. It’s a good thing that Garcia was able to finish Romero off when he did, because his eye didn’t need another round of getting constantly tagged by Romero. Garcia’s power bailed him out in this fight, but he needs more than power if he wants to get to the next level. Garcia needs defense and badly. Had he been in with a big puncher tonight instead of a Romero, Garcia likely would have been stopped.