by David P. Greisman, photo by Ryan Hafey
Keith Thurman had criticized Danny Garcia’s choice of opposition before, deriding Garcia as a “cherry picker” for facing Samuel Vargas. Then Thurman sat ringside to watch Garcia take out Vargas with a seventh-round technical knockout, setting up a March clash that will take place on CBS or Showtime.
Thurman said Garcia looked good, but that the looked good largely because of what Vargas was, or rather what Vargas wasn’t.
"Danny looked strong. He always looks strong when he's sitting there flat-footed and letting big hooks go,” Thurman said afterward. “His opposition was never a threat to him at any point. … Danny had a decent victory today. I don't think there was anything 'Swift' about it. They said that he wanted to tune-up, now he's ready to come see me.”
Garcia was previously the junior welterweight champion, culminating his run in that division with a decision over Lucas Matthysse. He also has wins over Amir Khan at 140, Robert Guerrero at 147, a disputed decision over Mauricio Herrera at 140, and a controversial decision over Lamont Peterson at a catch-weight of 143.
Thurman thinks he poses a tougher challenge than all of them.
“I see myself as the best competition that Danny has ever faced,” Thurman said. “He may see himself as the best fighter I've faced. But I believe that Danny Garcia is actually going to have a problem with many true welterweights.”
“Danny, in my opinion, is someone who has been slightly exposed in the past,” Thurman said at one point, adding later: “I'm going to box smarter and box better. Danny is real flat-footed. I believe I'll be able to be on the outside, see the wide punches and counter punch. I think my counters and my power is going to be the ultimate game changer.”
"Danny can talk whatever he wants, and Angel can say whatever he wants. They can talk smack all day, but I know for a fact that everyone who faces Keith Thurman will tell you that I'm the hardest puncher they've faced."
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