Danny Garcia wanted a reset, each when it comes to day off and weight.
The previous two-division titleholder hasn’t fought since he misplaced a unanimous decision to 147-pound champ Errol Spence Jr. in December 2020, essentially the most one-sided lack of his profession. That’s a 19-month break from the game, the longest of his profession.
He’s scheduled to return in opposition to Jose Benavidez Jr. at 154 kilos on July 30 at Barclays Heart in Brooklyn, a few two-hour drive from his native Philadelphia.
“The day off was essential,” mentioned Garcia, 34. “After you’ve been combating for a very long time – I’ve been combating world champions for the final 10 years – I spotted that my physique felt nice, however my thoughts felt foggy. It felt drained. It didn’t really feel sharp. I knew that I wanted my thoughts to relaxation, have some enjoyable, and spend a while with my household.
“I wanted time to get pleasure from every part that I labored so arduous for, begin to miss the sport of boxing after which come again sturdy. I feel that’s what I’ve finished.”
Danny Garcia (left) had his worst night time as a professional in opposition to Errol Spence Jr. in December 2020. Ronald Martinez / Getty Photographs
Garcia (36-3, 21 KOs) might be combating at 154 kilos for the primary time, two divisions greater than the burden at which he was most profitable, 140.
“Swift” received a vacant title at 147 when he outpointed Robert Guerrero in January 2016 however he additionally suffered all three of his losses in that division, though setbacks in opposition to Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter have been shut fights that would’ve gone both manner.
Some ponder whether he’s naturally too small to beat a pure 154-pounder. Benavidez (27-1-1, 18 KOs) is the underdog in opposition to Garcia however he fought as a middleweight in his final combat, a draw with Francisco Torres.
Garcia says he’s snug as a junior middleweight.
“I all the time knew that 154 was my walkaround weight,” he mentioned. “Lots of people assume I’m naturally small as a result of I used to combat at 140 and 147. However I used to be squeezing myself right down to get to these weights. Now I’m slightly bit older, slightly bit wiser.
“I don’t assume that’s the precise factor for me to do to lose all that weight.”
Garcia expects a stiff problem from Benavidez, who he known as a “robust fighter,” however he’s assured issues will go properly.
A victory could be a step towards his instant purpose, to combat for a world title in a 3rd division. And it could put a disappointing 2020 – capped by the Spence setback – farther behind him.
“2020 was a very good and unhealthy yr for me,” mentioned Garcia, who outpointed Ivan Redkach in January of that yr. “I fought twice and made some huge cash, however on the identical time, there was the pandemic. It was a tricky yr for me exterior of the ring. It was traumatic for everyone.
“I simply wanted a break. I used to be drained. I educated arduous in the beginning of the yr after which we went by the pandemic. I needed to wake myself as much as prepare arduous once more for one of many largest fights of my profession. It simply took a psychological toll on me. I used to be mentally drained.
“I banged it out with Spence. He bought the choice, however I used to be nonetheless in a position to go in there and scrap for 12 rounds. I knew if I simply took a break and got here again, no one might contact me.”
