Garcia Cements His Status At 140 With Stoppage Of Khan

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    Danny Garcia - English boxer Amir Khan suffered a devastating second successive Las Vegas defeat to American boxer Danny Garcia at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas
    (July 15, 2012 – Source: PacificCoastNews.com)

    Most assumed that when Amir Khan and Danny Garcia stepped into the ring with each other last night it would be a fairly entertaining bout with a clear overwhelming outcome. Those who expected Khan’s talents to supersede the ones possessed by Garcia were sadly mistaken. Garcia pulled an upset in spectacular fashion, defeating Khan by 4th round TKO in a fight that saw Khan taste the canvas three separate times.

     

    The first knockdown happened in the 3rd round, it came quick and unexpectedly. However, it was the first two rounds that belonged to Khan who came out strong utilizing stiff right hands behind well placed–but not-so-frequently thrown jabs.

     

    Khan was getting in and out with a combination of footwork and speed, it seemed as though Garcia was a bit befuddled, although he did land a few good shots through the first 6 minutes in the fight. Khan was looking sharp and even caused a cut over Garcia’s right eye; it was obvious Garcia lost rounds 1&2 and it was evident that Danny’s father/trainer Angel Garcia knew it.

     

    In between rounds 2 and 3 Angel Garcia urged his Son on in a fight that he believed Khan was getting the better of; “you got to be more crispy [Danny], he’s picking you apart, let your hands go. Stay calm, let’s work and stay focused,” Angel instructed to Danny in the corner.

     

    In the beginning of round 3, Khan was being aggressive in spurts and it seemed as though Danny’s comfort level wasn’t there. What had been proven in the two previous rounds was that Khan’s ferocity was going unmatched by Garcia and the pace being set was favoring Khan’s game.

     

    Then, the game changer that was Danny Garcia’s counter left-hook landed on Khan’s lower-chin and neck, knocking down Khan with exactly 30 seconds left in round 3. It was a sensational shot, though not flush on the chin. Instead, the punch landed slightly lower, which caused Khan’s equilibrium to be off kilter for the remainder of the fight. Khan did, however, get to his feet and hold on to make it out of the round.

     

    Khan’s trainer, Freddie Roach, repeatedly asked if his fighter was ok in between rounds.

     

    At the start of the forth Garcia came out aggressive, looking to finish the fight. Garcia was throwing monster right hands and he landed one within the first 10 seconds of the opening round that lead to the second knockdown of the fight when Khan’s glove touched the canvas. After the standing 8 count, Khan’s legs appeared to be gone. However, Khan fought on and displayed a tremendous will fight.

     

    With Khan on his heels, Garcia continued to land massive right hands. Khan displayed a ton of heart by doing whatever his shot-legs would allow. It wasn’t enough and Garcia landed a final left, followed by a right hand on Khan’s way down to the canvas. After the third knockdown in the fight referee Kenny Bayless waved off the fight, giving Garcia the stunning upset TKO victory.

     

    Danny Garcia is now the Ring Magazine, WBA and WBC 140lb champion and remains undefeated.

     

    “I always knew I had it in me, I feel like the great fighters bring the best out of me. Amir Khan is a great fighter and I knew if I fought him it would bringthe best out of me,” Garcia said in his post-fight interview.

     

    Khan was gracious in defeat and proved he is a class act. “It just wasn’t my night, I made mistakes. Danny Garcia had a great performance,” Khan said.

     

    The fact is Khan fought a great fight and demonstrated his absolute skills, but Garcia’s power proved to be the deciding factor in the fight. Many will allude to the fact that Khan’s chin has always been suspect, but that is not the underlining story of the fight. What fans should take out of this victory is Danny Garcia is a star and earned this victory on his own merit.

     

    Garcia came into this fight as a descent top 10 fighter in the junior welterweight division and left with the allusion of being the very best at 140lbs.