By Carlos Boogs
WBC welterweight world champion Danny "Swift" Garcia (32-0, 18 KOs) confirms that his next fight is a final step to a unification with WBA welterweight champion Keith "One Time" Thurman.
Garcia will make his first appearance in his native Philadelphia since 2010 as he takes on Colombia's Samuel Vargas (25-2-1, 13 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Saturday, November 12 from Temple University's Liacouras Center.
Garcia, a two-division world champion, will face Vargas in a ten round non-title encounter. The fight is Garcia's first since winning the WBC welterweight crown in January with a twelve round decision over Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero.
Most fans were irate with Garcia's selection for next month's outing. Vargas was demolished in four rounds last year when he faced undefeated welterweight contender Errol Spence Jr. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Garcia says he was trying to avoid a long stint of inactivity when he entered the ring against Thurman next year, so he requested to have one more fight against a lower caliber of opponent.
The fight with Thurman is being targeted for the early part of 2017. There are two dates reserved in Las Vegas, during the month of January, at the MGM Grand. Promoter Tom Brown, who works with PBC, reserved the dates in question.
"My dad and I wanted to get one more fight in before the end of the year and there was no doubt in my mind it had to be in Philadelphia," said Garcia. "My team got it done and it's a great feeling to fight at home over the holidays. I'm excited to use this opportunity to give back to the community and put on a show on November 12. This city means everything to me."
"I'm gearing up for a big fight with Keith Thurman next year that's going to be a can't miss event. First, I'm going to fight for my city on November 12."
