Danny Garcia looked sharp in a one sided victory over Jose Benavidez Jr.
It’s been 19 long months since we last saw Danny Garcia in a boxing ring. The former two-division title holder put on a boxing master class knocking off the ring rust against Jose Benavidez Jr. Two judges scored it for Garcia, 117-111 and 116-112. The third, Waleska Roldan, somehow scored a one-sided fight 114-114.
Garcia (37-3, 21 KOs)debuted at 154 tonight after being outpointed by welterweight champ Errol Spence Jr. 19 months ago. Garcia fought a very smart and measured fight, counter punching and out jabbing Benavidez (27-2-1, 18 KOs). Benavidez scored periodically with flurries but had difficulty hitting Garcia cleanly and simply wasn’t as active. Garcia matched everything his foe did with counters to the body or tricky combinations that landed flush.
It was a strange night of boxing as the earlier bout ended in a controversial stoppage by referee Shada Murdaugh. The strangeness continued into the main event with the 114-114 scorecard. Garcia clearly won by a wide margin. The fans in Brooklyn agreed as the decision was met with a chorus of boos. Eventually the right man won the fight. Garcia brings a very interesting element to the 154 pound division, a former world champion with a unique skill set and enough popularity to sell a fight. Garcia could fight former world champion Tony Harrison or challenge champion Erislandy Lara for his championship crown.
Other than the fight perhaps the most talked about moment was the post fight interview. Garcia shed tears during a post-fight interview, as he reflected on emotional issues including depression he battled during his time off. The fact he was able to get back to his first love was important for him.
“In order for me to be Danny Garcia again I have to be back in the ring,” Danny said. “I have to do what I love and be a fighter. People ask me every day, ‘You made good money in boxing. Why do you still fight?’ Same way that Warren Buffet is 90 years old and still making money in stocks. I love to fight .So this is what I love to do. And hopefully become a meme with my crying face like Michael Jordan.”
Garcia’s powerful moment in the ring was a great lesson to anyone that has ever dealt with a significant setback in their life.