Former two division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (34-2, 20 KOs) battles Adrian “El Tigre” Granados (20-6-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight title on Saturday, April 20th. The fight is presented by PBC on FOX in Carson, California at the Dignity Health Sports Arena.
TALE OF THE TAPE
| Danny Garcia | Adrian Granados | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | 34-2, 20 KOs | 20-6-2, 14 KOs | ||
| Age | 31 | 29 | ||
| Height | 5'8½″ | 5'9 | ||
| Reach | 68½″ | 74″ | ||
| Weight | 147 | 147 | ||
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox | ||
| Hometown | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Cicero, Illinois | ||
| Rounds Boxed | 239 | 167 |
The tale of the tape is vastly similar for each fighter outside of a couple of factors.
Granados has a clear reach advantage that can be used to keep himself out of Garcia’s range.
Garcia has the edge in experience with a substantial amount of more rounds boxed in his career.
On paper, this is a tight fight, there isn’t an advantage by either fighter that suggests this will be an easy fight.
MAIN STORYLINES
Garcia vs. Granados adds to the historical installment of Puerto Rico vs. Mexico in the sport of boxing. Both fighters represent their ethnicity to the fullest and take pride in where they came from. Philadelphia vs Chicago, Puerto Rico vs. Mexico is the recipe for an action-packed fight.
This is an absolutely crucial fight in the careers for both fighters. The WBC Silver Welterweight title is on the line, a win puts either fighter in position for a rematch with WBC Welterweight champion Shawn Porter (30-2-1, 17 KOs).
Outside of possible title fight implications, there is obviously bad blood between Garcia and Granados.
This has been brought to light through multiple interviews, and their appearances on Inside PBC Boxing and PBC Face to Face leading up to the fight. None of it was disrespectful, but they jawed back and forth as to how the fight is going to play out on April 20.
The following are quotes from their television appearances:
“I’ve ruined a lot of careers. Mentally I drain them, physically, I hurt them.” -Garcia
“I’ve never been another opponent, I’ve always been a champion.” -Garcia
For myself, I feel it’s a little bit more personal.” -Granados
“I see Danny Garcia as just another opponent, you put your socks on just like me, you’re nothing special to me.” -Granados
“I’m here to make a name for myself. I’m out to get my respect. If he underestimates me, he’s making a bad mistake.”- Granados
Both men have stressed the importance of this fight, they want to win dominantly, and will push for a KO if the opportunity presents itself.
STRENGTHS FOR EACH FIGHTER
Granados
Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
Granados’ strengths are his punching volume and his non-stop motor.
He is a high-volume puncher, in the two biggest fights of his career he threw 683 punches vs Adrien Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs), and 680 punches vs Shawn Porter (30-2-1, 17 KOs) according to CompuBox stats.
Granados doesn’t let up against his opponents, he has a high non-stop motor that just keeps pushing. He won’t let up in any situation, whether he is winning or losing the fight.
Garcia
Premier Boxing Champions
Garcia’s strengths are his punching power, and pin-point accuracy.
Garcia is one of the best power punchers in the Welterweight division. He carries power in both hands and has hurt opponents with either the left-hook or the straight right.
WEAKNESSES FOR EACH FIGHTER
Granados
Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
Granados’ defense and heart are his weaknesses.
He has relatively good defense. His problem is the tendency to square up too often, leaving himself open to easy offense for his opponent.
Granado’s has tremendous heart, that can be to his fault at times. He loves to fight wants to exchange with his opponent, and welcomes them in to fight. This is something he has to take out of his game to perform at an elite level.
Garcia
Amanda Westcott/Showtime
Garcia’s weaknesses are his low-punching volume, and his footwork.
Garcia has a bad tendency to not throw enough punches in fights. While his accuracy is usually very high, this is still a problem when the other fighter is clearly outworking him.
Garcia threw 434 punches vs Keith Thurman (29-0-0, 22 KOs), and 472 punches vs Shawn Porter in his title fight losses.
THE WINNER AND WHY
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Granados pulls off the upset and gets the decision to go his way this time around.
Garcia is an elite Welterweight, but we know he has flaws that have been exposed. This fight is tailored for Granados to show not only his ability to apply high-volume pressure but can also outbox an opponent.
Granados’ uses his quick feet, angles, and relentless volume to give Garcia fits, and squeeze out a tight victory.
