Two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia wants to become a three-division champion, but standing in the way is WBA 160-pound champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara. He will battle Lara in the co-main event of Canelo Alvarez’s clash with Edgar Berlanga on September 14 in Las Vegas(PBC PPV on Prime).
Garcia (37-3, 21 KOs) has been out of the ring for over two years, so there could be some rust. Plus, he’s fighting at the highest weight of his career. In addition, while he’s 41 years old, Lara (30-3-3, 18 KOs) has never been an easy night for any fighter, but Garcia believes the time away has been good for him.
“You can expect the same Danny Garcia as always on September 14,” Garcia said at his media workout in Philly. “I’ve been feeling good sparring and training and I really feel like nothing has changed. If anything, I feel like the time out of the ring has helped my body recover. I have no injuries, my mind feels good, and my body feels good.”
The 36-year-old Garcia believes Lara, who has stopped his last three opponents, has not seen anything like him in some time.
“Lara is definitely very skilled, but I’ve faced so many highly-skilled fighters throughout my career, from Zab Judah and Amir Khan to Keith Thurman and so many more,” Garcia said. “I feel like I’ve always done a solid job with southpaws as well. You have to look at it the other way, too, because I’m definitely the best fighter he’s fought in a long time.”
The Philly native says he’s focused on Lara, but there are some big names out there that he would love to fight.
“I’m only focused on Lara, but after this fight, I’ll look to do whatever makes the most sense,” Garcia said. “Obviously, I want the biggest names like Terence Crawford, Sebastian Fundora, Carlos Adames, or any of the top guys. I’m also interested in avenging my losses, so Errol Spence Jr. or Keith Thurman fights would definitely be something I pursue.”
Ultimately, Garcia thinks he and his team have a plan to get the job done against the Cuban native.
“Lara is definitely a tricky fighter; he’s one of the best boxers you can get in the ring with skill-wise,” he said. “I know I have my work cut out for me, but we have the right game plan, and we are going to go in there and execute.”
Photo: Don Avery/TGB Promotions
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