This past weekend former two-division world champion Danny Garcia pulled of a spectacular late round knockout over Brandon Rios in a WBC welterweight title eliminator.
It was Garcia's first fight since losing the first bout of his boxing career against Keith Thurman last March in their WBC and WBA welterweight unification fight from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Thurman won the fight via split-decision after a close twelve round fight.
Garcia ended the night by connecting with a vicious right hand on Rios that knocked him on his back. Although Rios beat the count he stood up wobbly and forced the referee to call the fight off.
After the fight Garcia said that he felt a little rusty inside the ring but got more comfortable as the right progressed (quotes via Boxing Scene):
"I felt the ring rust a little bit in the beginning," said Garcia.
"He's a good inside fighter and he was giving me some good uppercuts. I felt good, it was a good nine rounds.
"He came to fight. I came to box, I did that. I came to bang, and I gave the fans what they wanted - a knockout.
"I just noticed when I was getting my punches off he was standing right in front of me and I just let it go.
"As soon as I got the fight in the middle of the ring where I wanted I landed good shots. I was just letting my hands go and the punch landed."
After his win Garcia wants a rematch with Thurman, who is expected to make a voluntary defense on May 19th at the Barclays Center - the opponent has yet to be determined, leaving the door open for Garcia:
"The loss was tough. I have the mindset of a winner," Garcia said. "I hate losing. I took it like a true champion and I bounced back like a true champion.
"I would love the rematch with Keith Thurman. It's on him. Whenever he's ready we'll fight."
What are your thoughts on Garcia expressing his desire to rematch Keith Thurman next inside the squared circle? Do you think that this is the fight Garcia will get next? And if so, how do you think he'll do a second time around against Thurman? Let me know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below!
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