From the bowels of North Philadelphia and the ?Swift Boxing Club? a young fighter who has made waves in the sport, but not yet garnering mainstream attention, resides in relative obscurity. There, two fisted pugilist is content to plug along and continue his ascent without much thought into popularity, as one would automatically assume being as though he is closer to drinking age than an over-the-hill age.
?I do know what people think,? said the powerful 24-year-old counter puncher. ?This is like a life-changing fight for me, taking me to a new level. Erik Morales was beating the hell of the young kids and I beat him. Morales never said anything to me after I beat him; he didn?t even want to shake my hand. I don?t get credit for anything,? WBC titlist Danny ?Swift? Garcia recently told RingTV.com?s Joseph Santoliquito.
Garcia upended the future Hall of Fame inductee earlier this year in an unexpected decision victory for the title, and Garcia is spot on that credit was not duly served.
That has been thus far par for the course for the born and raised Philadelphian who began his career in 2007.
Yet the progression that Garcia has made since stepping up his competition in early 2011 has put him on the radar of many, as he soundly beat veterans Nate Campbell, Kendall Holt (a split decision that should not have been one) and Morales unanimously en route to his first major title, a title that he puts on the line this Saturday against Amir Khan.
It is with the precision, patience and poise in which the youngster operates that has thus far led Garcia to the top of his 140 pound weight class, and in front of him, although, only one year older at 25, stands Khan, who most see as the more seasoned fist thrower heading into their HBO televised bout from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Garcia is ?ahead of his times?, as the saying goes. While standing nose to nose with future opponents and walking around proudly with his green WBC strap on his shoulder while sporting sunglasses, his youthfulness is definitely on display.
However, when inside the ring, Garcia is all business, sporting a clam and workmanlike effort behind a plethora of well thrown punches, inside and outside game and the endurance for 36 full minutes.
Heading into their bash, the outside antics were actually shown not by Garcia, but the father who created him, the heavily opinionated Angel Garcia, who made waves at the Los Angeles portion of the press tour for the fight.
?Khan is an overrated fighter.?
?There?s a lot of overrated fighters in boxing and we?re coming to execute every one of them. People say Danny?s too young to go for Khan right now. Too young for what? When Oscar fought Shane Mosley, they were young. This is the time to do fights like these, so fans can know who the real champions are.?
?Khan?s got two losses and he?s always got an excuse for why he lost,? said father Garcia.
?He got knocked out in one round and said it was God?s will. Come on, man, don?t blame God. It?s because of what you did. Peterson whipped him like an octopus, hit him from all angles, and then he blames it on the judges.?
Khan was enticed to engage, and a back and forth ensued. ?Danny?s father does a lot of talking. When I beat your son am I still underrated??
?Swift? was vocal, but more so directly to Khan during the stare down, as he told it.
?My dad does all the trash talking in public, but when I?m face to face with my opponent, I?ll try to get in his head. I told Khan that he never really beat anybody. I said ?The guys fought were known for quittin?.? It?s trash talk, but not really for the world to hear. I?m fighting Khan; I?m not fighting the world. I just want the world to watch me fight.?
With fight night getting closer and closer, the talking is done, and the Golden Boy Promoted fighters now which to take each others belts and continue their assaults on the 140 pound division. On Saturday night, in front of an HBO audience, Khan Garcia once again beat a title holding veteran?
That is to be decided between the ropes and on the famed canvas of the Mandalay Bay.
