Photo by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
140-pound titlist Danny Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) will make his return against fellow titlist Lamont Peterson (33-2, 17 KOs) this Saturday, April 11 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The 12-round non-title Welterweight fight will headline a Premier Boxing Champions card that will be televised on NBC in the U.S.
Garcia, 27, is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but has his roots in Puerto Rico and feels he his following in the footsteps of esteemed Puerto Rican fighters such as Felix Trinidad.
“I used to love other great Puerto Rican boxers like Felix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto and Hector Camacho. I feel like I’m definitely working my way up into the ranks with them and following their footsteps.” said Garcia at a recent media workout.
It may be a bit too early to discuss Garcia’s legacy, but his recent fights have not lived up to the expectations set by Garcia himself after defeating hard-hitting Lucas Matthysse in September 2013.
After that spectacular and tough win, Garcia won a controversial decision against Mauricio Herrera in March 2014—which many felt he lost—and stopped an undersized and overmatched opponent in Rod Salka in August.
Garcia looks to erase the memories of these previous fights with a solid matchup against Lamont Peterson, but Garcia adds yet another asterisk to his record: the fight will not be a unification fight for the 3 titles held collectively by both fighters.
The fight will instead be held at a catchweight of 143 pounds and will not be for a title. Garcia will most likely look to move to Welterweight shortly after his fight with Peterson.
Nevertheless, Garcia still has a legitimate opponent in front of him, and will have to deal with a sharp contrast of styles.
“I’m going to try to dictate the pace, be smart, move my head, use my feet and land good punches. I can’t try to chase him down,” said Garcia of Peterson, who can be very elusive in the ring.
Despite his elusiveness, Peterson can definitely be hit, as was the case in his 3rd-round TKO loss to Matthysse in May 2013. Peterson made the mistake of exchanging hooks with the Argentine power puncher and Garcia looks to do the same this Saturday.
“I have to be smart in the ring. I have to go in there and be Danny Garcia. I’m here because I’m a smart fighter. Everyone knows that. I have power. I’m going to find my opening and capitalize on his mistakes,” said Garcia.
