Two-division world champion Danny Garcia(36-3, 21 KOs) has spent his whole career between 140-147 pounds, but on July 30 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Garcia will make his debut at 154 pounds as he battles Jose Benavidez Jr.(27-1-1, 18 KOs).
The 34-year-old Garcia headlined the first show at Barclays Center in 2012, and 10 years later, he’s doing it again.
“I felt the atmosphere at Barclays Center at the Gervonta Davis fight and I felt what I was missing,” he said at a virtual press conference on Tuesday. “I went there to feel that motivation and it was great. We’re going to give everyone a great night just like at that last fight.
“I was in the first main event at Barclays Center and I’ve been building a fanbase there over the last 10 years. Brooklyn is the perfect place to build a fanbase and I’m honored to be a part of Barclays Center’s history.”
Garcia, who is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Errol Spence Jr. in December 2020, says he feels stronger at 154.
“I’ve been fighting at 140 and 147 since the amateurs for 13 years,” Garcia said. “I always felt my natural weight was bigger, and I was squeezing down. I feel like this weight fits me good. I feel young and fresh. I’m strong and with a lot more stamina.”
Garcia’s trainer and father, Angel Garcia, agrees that his son will be stronger at 154.
“Danny is perfect for 154 pounds,” Angel Garcia said. “It’s a new era for him, and it’s time. There’s a time for everything, and our time is now. We have a perfect opponent who’s going to come bring the fight to us.”
After the loss to Spence, Garcia said he needed time away from the sport, which, according to Garcia, has motivated him.
“I’ve been fighting at the highest level for the last 10 years,” he said. “It’s only right as a human that you would get a little mentally tired,’ he said. “I needed a break so that I could miss boxing. I knew that once I came back in the gym motivated and missing the sport, that nobody could beat Danny Garcia
“I’m going to go in there and fight my fight. I’m not putting any extra pressure on myself. I’m going to fight the Danny Garcia fight. I have to use all my tools and all my skills and get the win.”
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will also see Polish star and Brooklyn’s all-action Adam Kownacki returning to the ring to take on Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen in a 10-round heavyweight attraction, while unbeaten rising star Gary Antuanne Russell faces former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy in a 10-round showdown to kick off the telecast.
