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Erislandy Lara Proves A Step Too Far In Pursuit Of Greatness For Danny Garcia

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | By Jonathan Turner | Last updated 9/15/24

Danny Garcia consistently stated in the lead-up to Saturday’s middleweight bout with WBA champion Erislandy Lara that he is focused only on “legacy” for the remainder of his career – however long that might be.

A two-weight world champion who during his prime established himself as one of the finest 140- and 147-pound fighters on the planet, Garcia was aiming to join many of boxing’s all-time greats by winning a world title in a third division.

The task was always going to be difficult. The heaviest ‘Swift’ had previously fought was at super-welterweight – where he only contested one bout – so climbing to the 157lbs catchweight was going to present certain challenges.

To make it more challenging, Garcia entered the ring at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas after almost two years of inactivity and having fought just twice in the past four years. It made for a tough set of circumstances when pitted against the durable, experienced, and ring-smart Lara.

Garcia Looked A Shadow Of His Best

So it proved in a drab and uneventful co-main event bout to the unified super-middleweight title headliner, which Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez comfortably won against Edgar Berlanga.

Garcia offered very little in the way of ambition or aggression. He landed just 33 punches – and 10 of those came in the eighth round. After landing just 3/21 in the opening round, he connected with 0/8 in the second, 4/25 in the third, 5/20 in the fourth, 4/23 in the fifth, 4/30 in the sixth, 2/17 in the seventh, 10/39 in the eighth, and just 1/13 in the ninth and final round.

Lara hardly set a relentless pace, either, but his 63 landed punches (from 262 thrown) ensured he controlled the fight and the last of those punches sent Garcia to the canvas for the first time in his career. Soon after, Swift’s trainer and father Angel threw in the towel between rounds.

“I’m okay,” Garcia said. “I came off a two-year layoff and tried to be great, and it wasn’t my night. No excuses. I didn’t think the layoff would affect me like that, but there’s no excuses. I couldn’t find my rhythm. He had a strong jab and was controlling the distance well.

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‘No Excuses’ From Garcia

“At the end of the day my dad (Angel) is always gonna do what’s best for me. I tried to conquer a third division and I came up short. I’ve been at the top of the game for a long time, I take this on the chin like a true champion.”

The outcome of the bout and Garcia’s uncharacteristically subdued performance leaves the Philadelphia fighter with some big decisions to make.

On one hand, Garcia has nothing left to prove. A decorated super-lightweight and welterweight world champion at a time when both divisions were thriving; a fighter who fought and beat many of the best of his era, ‘Swift’ can hang his gloves up once and for all enormously proud of his achievements.

At 36 years old with a family and financial security, does Garcia still have the burning hunger to go through the torture of more training camps and fight nights?

What Next For Swift?

On the other, a proud former lineal champion could be motivated to exit boxing on his own terms following a performance more befitting of his career than the underwhelming display against Lara – a fight that caused fans to boo inside the arena.

Garcia didn’t divulge immediately after the fight what he would do next, but his father insisted his son would have his full support. “It’s up to Danny,” he said. “Whatever he wants to do, I’m okay with it.”

While much of the focus will be on Garcia post-defeat, credit must go to Lara post-victory. The fight may have lacked excitement, but the Cuban did what was needed to secure the victory and retain his title for a third successful defense. At 41 years old, Lara is the oldest active world champion in boxing – a remarkable achievement in itself.

“The punches I was landing were hurting him,” Lara said. “That punch that ended the fight was a big shot. I felt that I boxed beautifully. It was a work of art, like a Picasso. I negated everything Danny had. He’s a great fighter and a Hall of Famer just like me.”

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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