LOS ANGELES ? Danny Garcia was surrounded by some of the biggest names in boxing on Tuesday afternoon when he declared: ?I fought more (big) fights than any other fighter on this stage.?
That might be true. Among those Garcia has faced: Erik Morales (twice), Amir Khan, Zab Judah, Lucas Matthysse, Lamont Peterson, Paulie Malignaggi, Robert Guerrero, Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter.
And had a few moments gone his way in his two setbacks, Garcia (34-2, 20 knockouts) might still be undefeated.
?It?s tough,? he said in a one-on-one interview at a news conference to formally announce upcoming matchups under the new deal between Premier Boxing Champions and Fox Sports. ?I thought I won both fights. What can I do? Only come back stronger. I?m more motivated off this one than if I actually won. ?It?s only a matter of time before I get back what?s mine.?
Garcia was referring to his last fight, a close, but unanimous decision loss against Shawn Porter for the vacant WBC welterweight title this past September (112-116, 113-115, 113-115). His only other setback was a split-decision against Keith Thurman in March of last year (112-116, 113-115, 115-113).
The Philadelphian gets back in the saddle against Adrian Granados on June 20. Granados (20-6-2, 14 KOs) is known for upsetting then-unbeaten Amir Imam in 2015 and a series of painfully close losses.
The only fighter to blow him out was Shawn Porter, who won a wide decision last November.
?It won?t be hard to get up for Granados, not at all,? Garcia said. ?Like I said, losing is the worst feeling in the world. Nobody likes losing. I?m motivated. I?ll definitely show up that night.?
Garcia reiterated on Tuesday that he?d like a rematch with Porter or Thurman for a title. In the meantime, he also is intrigued with the possibility of facing the winner of the January 19 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Adrien Broner in Las Vegas on Showtime pay-per-view.
?That?d be a great fight,? he said of matchup between him and the winner. ?Those are two big names, Pacquiao and Broner. And I haven?t fought either one of them. It would sell out a stadium and be a big pay-per-view fight. It would make a lot of money.?
Who does the think will win in January?
?I know a lot of people are picking Pacquiao,? he said. ?I?m going to go with Broner in an upset. He?s younger. I think the concern is that Pacquiao is going to outwork him. If (Broner) lands cleaner punches and ups his work rate a little bit, I think he can win the fight.?
Of course, Garcia believes he?d beat either fighter.
?I?ve never doubted myself,? he said. ?I know I?m one of the best ? I know I?m the best.?
