In the co-main event of Edgar Berlanga’s failed challenge against Canelo Alvarez, Erislandy Lara proved too much for Danny Garcia despite being 41.
The WBA middleweight champion, nicknamed “The American Dream,” scored his fourth-straight knockout as he improved to 31-3-3, 19 KOs in Las Vegas. Lara stopped former two-division ruler Garcia, who dropped to 37-4, 21 KOs in nine rounds when halted for the first time in his career.
Lara was the heavier-handed as the weight increase proved difficult for Garcia. Due to long layoffs., Garcia had no choice but to move up but really should still be campaigning at 147. Fighting for one last payday, Garcia was saved by his father in an uncharacteristic ending for the Philadelphian.
Ultimately, it seems to be the final chapter of a career that promised much but tailed off at the end. After the fight, Garcia admitted that the time out of the ring had hurt him.
“I’m okay. I came off a two-year layoff and tried to be great, and it wasn’t my night,” said Garcia. “No excuses. I didn’t think the layoff would affect me like that, but there are no excuses. I couldn’t find my rhythm. He had a strong jab and was controlling the distance well.”
Additionally, on Angel Garcia deciding to finish the contest, Garcia added, “At the end of the day, my dad is always going to do what’s best for me. I tried to conquer a third division, but I came up short. I’ve been at the top of the game for a long time. I take this on the chin like a true champion.”
Garcia was way behind on the cards going into what could be the last round of his career, meaning his dad made the correct call.
In contrast, boxing’s current oldest world champion – who fully lives the life, shows no signs of slowing down as Lara chases even more significant fights down the line.
“I’m ready for the next challenge,” said Lara. “I’m here to stay. I have a lot of boxing left in me. I felt that I boxed beautifully. It was a work of art, like a Picasso.
“I negated everything Danny had. He’s a great fighter and a Hall of Famer, just like me. I used lateral movement with a long jab to land my big shots, just like you learn at the Cuban school of boxing.
“The punches I was landing were hurting him. That punch that ended the fight was a big shot,” concluded the Cuban.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
