Philippines, 28 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Garcia vs. Benavidez: Can Danny Make Noise in Act III at 154?


PhilBoxing.com




This Saturday night Danny Garcia makes his return after a long layoff dating all the way back to December 2020. The distinct difference this time out will be Garcia moving up to the junior middleweight division. His opponent Jose Benavidez Jr. has just one loss to Terence Crawford but has only fought one time since then and is coming off a majority-draw to Francisco Emanuel Torres. Danny makes his comeback at a venue he knows all so well in his home away from home at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. This Showtime Tripleheader is available on the network or the SHO app and features two interesting undercard bouts along with two bouts streaming live on Showtime’s YouTube Channel.

Can Danny Garcia make some noise at the 154-pound division in what could be described as Act III of his career? Obviously Danny has competed against elite boxers across 140 and 147, but how realistic is it for Danny to take on a top level guy at his third weight heading into Saturday’s? Boxing has plenty of politics issues per usual but we can strike that one off the board because of the depth of quality opposition his representation has at junior middleweight. Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions has invested a lot of time into 154 since 2016. A division that may not be among the top tier as far as the amount of elite boxers, regardless it’s delivered fans so many great matchups and upsets along the way to crowning Jermell Charlo as the current king.

Power is always a question to see if a boxer can carry it up in weight and it was clear when Danny Garcia moved up to welterweight he didn’t seem as powerful of a puncher as he was at 140. Garcia clearly still had plenty of pop at 147 a weight class he’s compete in for a long time now. The argument of course which Danny’s side is using is the weight drain of making it all the way down to welterweight and the effects that can have on a fighters body during training camp. Not having to lose that last chunk of pounds and being able to be full strength while training can make a difference. We won’t know how successful Danny can be a junior middleweight until we see him in there with a top-10 guy which he won’t be facing this go around.



Beyond a decent performance in a loss to Crawford, Jose Benavidez does have two good wins over Mauricio Herrera and Francisco Santana. It should be noted both of those fights were competitive regardless of the scorecards and this boxing podcaster believes he lost one of them. It’s very difficult to know what version of Jose Benavidez will see in the ring on Saturday given his time out of the ring. On paper this appears to be an okay name for Danny Garcia to face testing out a new weight class considering his time away from the sport. Expect some two-way action either round to round or within in the rounds in the first part of the fight.

Look for Danny Garcia to catch Jose Benavidez with a counter shot via the left hook and whenever it lands it will change the fight. Danny Garcia should be able to wear down Jose Benavidez with power shots to the head and body in what will at the very least be an entertaining scrap unless the +425 and up underdog can’t make it close heading into the later rounds.

My Official Prediction is Danny Garcia by Unanimous Decision or late TKO.

The undercard features what should be a bit of a slobber-knocker between Adam Kownacki and Ali Eren Demirezen. At times crossroads fights can create so much urgency in fighters that the desperation comes through the screen and in to our living rooms so let’s hope that exactly what we get in the co-feature. The opener is a good test for a rising contender at 140 in Gary Antuanne Russell taking on a skilled veteran in Rances Barthelemy. In recent years Barthlemey is thought of as a bit of a spoiler due to his style but mainly it was the boring fight he had against Robert Easter Jr. At just 16 fights into to his pro career Russell can benefit by facing an experienced guy like Rances who could possible present some issues by taking a strength away thus forcing the younger fighter to adjust.
Podcast Link: tobtr.com/s/12126155

Side Note: Just a heads up for Saturday checkout Chris Billam-Smith vs. Isaac Chamberlain which is a closely matched bout on paper. Also, before Showtime’s Tripleheader streaming on YouTube will be Vito Mielnicki vs. Jimmy Williams and Sergiy Derevyanchenko vs. Joshua Conley.

Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • McHugh next for Dy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Sweat, Smiles & Strategy: Ador Torres Helps Tim Tszyu Sharpen Up for Errol Spence
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Benavidez receives the Tollan Tlatequi WBC belt in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Llover ready to fight Angeletti on June 6
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Tyson Fury could return in Dublin on August 1st
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Long After the Cheers: Luisito Espinosa…Battle of Manila Bay 2…and an Unofficial World Record Worth Remembering
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Jordan Orozco (16-0, 16 KOs) Continues Rapid Ascent as One of Boxing’s Most Exciting Young Stars
    , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures 13 Medals at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 MAY 2026: Usyk Defeats Verhoeven in Controversial Stoppage; Catterall UD Giyasov; Hiruta Beats Soliman; Sanchez KOs Torrez; Jones Stops Gualtieri
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • WBC #14 Bryan Flores Takes on Jonathan Navarro in 10-round Super Lightweight Main Event on ProBoxTV, Sat., July 18, at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif.
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • Villarosa retains PH Youth super fly crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Six More Wins on Day Eight at 2026 Copa America
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • It’s time for blue-chip prospect Marco Romero to sign with top promoter
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • General Trias Team All Set for International Chess Meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • Rosas wins PH superfly crown in first fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Spurs Shackle Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 of West Finals
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Paciones defeats Laspoña, retains WBO Oriental flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Results from Panama City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Improves Strong Copa America Showing with 8 win Day
    , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Benilde Blazers wins Antipolo 2x2 chess team tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr files $175 million lawsuit against former associates and advisors
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Christian Mbilli will defend his WBC super middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 12 in Saudi Arabia!
    , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Toro Promotions’ Trio victorious in Mexico
    , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Team USA Continues Dominant Run with 7-0 Performance on Day Six In Colombia
    , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • The Punisher Ultramarathon in Samal on May 30-31
    , Sun, 24 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.