Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia (31-0, 18 KO’s) has made a clean break from the light-welterweight division. In an interview with iFL TV he revealed the belts he once held are being snapped up by the fighters he left behind when he jumped up to compete at 147 lbs.
“I vacated the belts. I vacated them because [Lucas] Matthysse is fighting for the WBC and then [Adrien] Broner’s fighting for the WBA. I’m on to new things in my life man.”
In 2013, Garcia convincingly outpointed Matthysse to defend the WBC belt he beat Eric Morales for the previous year. It was a performance that solidified his reputation as a genuine force in the division after knocking out Amir Khan and outpointing Zab Judah.
A fight with Broner never took place as the flamboyant Cincinnati man ballooned up from lightweight to welter to win a belt and lost it soon afterwards. Now he resides in a 140 division that has been a bounteous place for him. He received his next title shot for the vacant belt directly on the back of a loss to Shawn Porter (at a 144 lb. catch-weight), thanks to Garcia’s departure.
There aren’t many fighters Garcia circumnavigated during his reign as the unified champion. He beat Khan and Matthysse outright and then got himself a contentious decision over Lamont Peterson at a 143 lb. catch-weight on his way out.
He also lost a disputed decision to Mauricio Herrera.
He feels there are a host of fighters in his new class who have not shown the same willingness to face their toughest rivals, adding he cannot afford to take on any soft touches at this stage in the game.
“I don’t know. I’m just gonna take my fights one at a time you know what I mean? I just moved up to the division and them fighters been there, how come they don’t fight each other? I faced everyone at 140; there’s no excuse.”
“I can’t fight a guy with no name because it won’t help me at all. At this point in my career, it’s all about fighting names.”
WBA champ Keith Thurman, IBF champ Kell Brook, WBO champ Tim Bradley, Shawn Porter, Amir Khan; all have stayed clear of one and other. Floyd Mayweather announced his retirement following a unanimous decision victory over Andre Berto.
If he is a man of his word, his 147 and 154 lb. titles will be up for grabs.
There are a plethora of names for Garcia to choose from there. He moved into the division with a solid win over a noticeably slowed Paulie Malignaggi and now it is time to add some more fighters with good reputations to his resume. It will be a strong statement if he can establish himself amongst a host of dangerous men.
