All photos by Amanda Westcott/Showtime
Considering Keith Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs) and Danny Garcia’s (33-0, 19 KOs) promotional tour started with Angel Garcia hurling profanities at Thurman, things have settled down considerably as fight night approaches.
Two-thirds of Garcia-Thurman’s media week is complete, as the two engaged in their final press conference in NYC’s Dream Hotel on Thursday. In a fight regarded as a true pick’em–Thurman and Garcia combine for a 60-0 record–each man has jockeyed for superiority leading up to Saturday.
In a media roundtable, “One Time” chastised Garcia’s most recent opposition–Robert Guerrero and Samuel Vargas–citing their inability to change gameplans on the fly.
“I tell amateurs, if it happens twice, you need to make an adjustment by the third time,” said Thurman. “I commentated Danny’s last two fights… He [Guerrero] never made an adjustment when Danny started to have things his way. At the end of the day, that’s why he lost the fight. I see myself as the better boxer, so I look forward to showing that.”
Similarly, Garcia didn’t seem phased by Thurman’s guarantee of a knockout.
“I’m not going to go in there and swing for Hail Mary’s…I’m going to be smart, work the gameplan, take it one round at a time,” said Garcia. “I get a thrill out of defying the odds. Saturday night, I’ll be the new unified champion of the world.”
The road to Saturday’s CBS main event included a stop at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn on Wednesday, where Thurman and Garcia staged media workouts and spoke to the press.
Aside from some gamesmanship–playfully exaggerating Garcia’s “no-look hook,” Thurman delivered a measured assessment of his opponent.
“He gauges the distance, he knows you’re in the pocket to trade with him, so he swings. If you’re there, I don’t have to look at you to hit you,” said Thurman of Garcia.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of facing Danny Garcia, my eyes will be wide open, it should be a great fight.”
If this week’s media activity has seemed subdued, it’s likely a result of Angel Garcia’s reduced role in promoting the fight. Angel, Danny’s father and trainer, was in danger of being suspended for Saturday’s fight after his tirade at a January 18 presser.
The New York State Athletic Commission ultimately allowed Garcia to corner his son, but Angel was not permitted to speak at Thursday’s conference. When speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, Angel suggested his focus has shifted toward getting Danny ready for Saturday night.
“He’s not my son right now, he’s my fighter,” said Angel of the WBA Champion. “I can’t be a dad [in Danny’s corner]. I’ve got to become another person, I’ve got to make sure he’s safe, I’ve got to make sure he’s in that ring 100 percent.”
Saturday’s broadcast is slated for a 9:00 pm, EST start time on CBS.
