Welterweight titleholder Danny "Swift" Garcia dusted off the rust in a trouble-free seventh-round stoppage of Samuel Vargas (25-3-1) Saturday night in Philadelphia. Garcia's next opponent, Keith "One Time" Thurman, was ringside and ready physically and verbally for their March 4 bout. Here is what we learned from Garcia's one-sided victory over Vargas.
It's been a long wait
Garcia held tight to his perfect record, moving to 33-0 (19 KOs) with an easily protected victory over underdog Vargas, who was simply a tuneup for Garcia.
Garcia spent the past 10 months outside of the ring fighting critics. The Philly boy has been flawed for bobbing top-ranked fighters. His last reputable fight was arguably against Lucas Matthysse almost three years ago. Since then, he has faced veterans Paulie Malignaggi and Robert Guerrero, who were both past their prime. Junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford was one of his critics, saying, "that don't even add up, the guy [Vargas] is ranked 42 in the division; what is that?"
However, it was a smart move for Garcia to test his gears before emptying out the tank against fellow unbeaten titlist Thurman next year. Thurman has been making a habit of destroying perfect records. "One Time" delivered Shawn Porter's second loss in June. Clearly, Garcia was seeking reassurance, matching up soft with Vargas before judgement day in March. And that is exactly what he got.
Vargas who?
The average Joe did not know who Vargas was before this fight. And if they did, it's because Vargas was pummeled on the ropes by rising star Errol Spence Jr. in 2015. Vargas took the fight against Garcia with five weeks' notice and on a five-fight winning streak.
Unfortunately, Vargas came up a lot short. He was dropped late in the second round, but the Colombian-born Canadian hung in there, absorbing power shots from Garcia. He simply did not have the hand speed to go toe-to-toe with Garcia. However, on the business side, landing on the main card of a PBC fight is not a bad result for Vargas. We know who he is now ... right?
Garcia's left hook is still sweet but can get salty ... and quickly
Garcia connected on a huge right hand that sent Vargas back flipping his way out of the second round. Garcia is naturally calm and patient in the ring, so he spent Rounds 4 through 7 waiting to comfortably trap and wear down Vargas.
Garcia found several openings, teeing off with a big right and few swinging uppercuts, several of them low. The silent killer was and is his signature left hook. Garcia usually leans on his left hand to get the job done, even though he didn't as much on Saturday night. He eliminated legendary Mexican fighter Erik Morales twice. And in their second bout, Garcia's left hook sent Morales spinning into the ropes and to the canvas. It ultimately labeled him as a champion-caliber fighter in 2012. That same left hand delivered knockout power and precision against Rod Salka, and a stunning victory over Amir Khan. Garcia's bleeding hook has lost some of its luster against recent opponents Robert Guerrero and Lamont Peterson. Garcia will have to find a way to revive that left hand against Thurman, who's the definition of a true boxer.
Like father, like son
Garcia's father and trainer, Angel Garcia, has the reputation of being a character. Angel talks a lot of trash, but his fighter has always backed it up. Danny usually leaves the bad mouthing to his father. However, at the conclusion of the Vargas fight, he pulled a Conor McGregor. He hopped out of the ring and stood on the skirt of the canvas, where he could look straight down at Thurman, who was doing color commentary for Spike TV, and the two began going at it. Garcia was red hot while Thurman was very cool, saying, "This is the third daddy's boy I'll beat." The budding rivalry continued in the ring moments later, when Garcia asked for his Philly fans to get involved. And who was right by his side? Angel.
Garcia should stay home
Garcia walked into the arena with the "Purge" mask, leopard-print trunks and with Philadelphia 76ers Hall of Famer Allen Iverson in the audience, while fans chanted, "Let's go Danny." If that isn't love, then I don't know what is. The Barclays Center in Brooklyn has played second home for Garcia. The only other time Garcia came home to fight at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia was in 2009 against Enrique Colin. None of Garcia's fights in the City of Brotherly Love have gone the distance, and Saturday's fight was no different.
With a new bill passed in New York that dramatically increases insurance premiums paid by promoters, the state is struggling to host premiere boxing events. Philadelphia might be that golden ticket for Garcia.