By Keith Idec
Angel Garcia gets the sense Shawn Porter doesn’t respect his son’s power.
Danny Garcia’s outspoken trainer expects that to change early in their 12-round fight for the WBC welterweight title September 8 in Brooklyn. Once Danny Garcia lands a flush shot against Porter, Angel Garcia figures the former IBF welterweight champion will realize he is in the ring with an opponent capable of becoming the first fighter to knock him out.
Angel Garcia discussed their upcoming fight following an open workout Wednesday at Danny Garcia’s gym in Philadelphia.
“Porter really isn’t worried about Danny’s power, but he should be,” Angel Garcia said. “I’m not mad about it. He just better have no excuses in that ring, because Danny’s not about excuses.”
The 30-year-old Porter (28-2-1, 17 KOs) hasn’t fought since he defeated Adrian Granados by unanimous decision in their 12-rounder November 4 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Danny Garcia was surprised Porter didn’t stop Granados (18-6-2, 12 KOs, 1 NC), a tough 140-pound contender who has never lost by knockout.
Porter also was surprised it took Danny Garcia (34-1, 20 KOs) nearly nine rounds to stop Brandon Rios (34-4-1, 25 KOs) in his last fight, February 17 in Las Vegas.
“We’re working hard and we’re gonna be ready for anything Shawn Porter thinks he has up his sleeve,” Angel Garcia said. “If he comes rushing in, he’s playing right into Danny’s hands.”
Angel Garcia and his son have devised what they think is a strong strategy to neutralize Porter constantly coming forward. They also believe the former WBC welterweight champ can avoid the clashes of heads many of Porter’s opponents complain about after they fight him.
“Danny is a star and he’s gonna show it again in this fight,” Angel Garcia said. “He always puts on a star performance and this is gonna be another stage for him to shine.”
Garcia-Porter will be the main event of Showtime’s three-bout broadcast September 8.
Just before Garcia and Porter square off, Brooklyn’s Adam Kownacki (17-0, 14 KOs) and Charles Martin (25-1-1, 23 KOs), of Carson, California, are set to meet in a 10-round heavyweight bout. A 12-round WBC welterweight elimination match between Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas (23-3, 11 KOs) and Argentina’s Cesar Barrionuevo (34-3-2, 24 KOs) will open Showtime’s tripleheader at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.