Danny Garcia will have legacy on his mind against Jose Benavidez Jr.

One thing wasn’t proper and Angel Garcia knew it. His son, Danny “Swift” Garcia, the previous unified junior welterweight and welterweight titlist, was curled up within the automotive, crying from the pangs of tension and melancholy from the COVID-19 pandemic. He couldn’t practice like he wished to. He couldn’t see his child daughter. He was principally reduce off from the whole lot he would usually do throughout a coaching camp, and it spilled out earlier than his combat with Errol Spence Jr. in December 2020.

Consequently, Swift wasn’t “Swift.”

“Danny ought to have by no means fought that combat,” Angel stated. “If Danny would have fought Spence in March, like we deliberate, after his automotive accident, it could have been a distinct combat. Danny was affected by demons. Spence and Danny had been each struggling demons. I might by no means put my son by way of that once more. I’m being trustworthy. After we got here dwelling from coaching within the gymnasium, he could be crying within the automotive, and I’d ask him, ‘Why are you crying?’ as a result of he was in a darkish place a whole lot of athletes don’t like speaking about.

“That night time Spence didn’t beat him. We beat ourselves. No excuses, we beat ourselves. That wasn’t Danny that night time.”

On Saturday, Garcia will likely be getting within the ring for the primary time in 19 months and 26 days, the longest layoff of his wonderful profession, debuting at 154 kilos when he headlines the Showtime tripleheader (9pm ET/6pm PT) in a 12-round principal occasion in opposition to Jose Benavidez Jr. from Barclays Middle, in Brooklyn, New York, in a Premier Boxing Champions occasion.

Garcia (36-3, 21 knockouts) is 34 now. He is aware of the top of his profession is lots nearer now than it was a number of years again. The 30-year-old Benavidez Jr. (27-1-1, 18 KOs) is preventing for his relevance. He’s coming off an eight-month layoff and is 1-1-1 over his final three fights, which incorporates falling by 10-round knockout to WBO welterweight titlist and pound-for-pound entrant Terence “Bud” Crawford in October 2018.

“This can be a nice reduction on my physique,” stated Danny, who appears to be like unimaginable form getting into this combat. “I hear the speak that I might not be large enough at 154, however I fought large guys at 147. I’ve been on a world-class stage for 20 years. I fought one of the best on this planet. For the Keith Thurman, I used to be comfortable on the time, as a result of I used to be in a position to make the burden simple. The Spence combat, and the Adrian Granados combat (in April 2019), I’m not going to lie, it was exhausting making 147. I used to be slicing it shut.

“Spence beat me. All of the credit score to him. I used to be flat and I appeared flat. I by no means felt proper. I’m in an awesome place mentally. I can’t wait to combat. I additionally know the place I’m at this stage of my profession. I notice the top is close to. My daughter Philly is seven and I’ve one other daughter on the best way. Proper now, as I’m speaking, I’ve three fights in my head.

“I really feel like I could make historical past successful one other title at 154 kilos.”

Danny Garcia is likely one of the good guys in boxing, who’s extremely revered. Nobody would need to see him combat past his expertise.

“My purpose is to stroll away from boxing not beat up,” Danny stated. “I’ve been good with my cash. I’ve nice, trusted folks round me like my father and Al Haymon. However I nonetheless love the game. I additionally notice that I’m nearer to the end line. Benavidez is developing from 140, 147, like I’m coming as much as 154, so both of us are pure 154-punders. He’s a small man like me. His final combat was at middleweight, however he’s no damned middleweight. I’ve to be good. Proper now, at 154, I’ve Benavidez, and two extra fights after that in my head. I need to get this win and transfer ahead from there.”

Swift feels he beat himself in opposition to Spence, The Ring’s No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter and No. 1 welterweight. He holds some solace in the truth that he went the space with the welterweight division’s boogeyman and got here away with nothing greater than a black eye.

“Errol appeared good, however he didn’t look nice, and that was due to me,” Danny stated. “I win this combat, and my daughter is due in August, so I get up in the midst of the night time to a crying child. I’ve been in Miami for seven years. I verify the inventory market day by day. If I visited the 19-year-old Danny Garcia, and I advised him I might be concerned within the inventory market, younger Danny would inform me to not do it, since you’re going to lose.

“I’m having fun with myself. It’s been some time since I might say that. My actual purpose is to assist the youthful fighters developing. I’m selling, however I’ve taken a step to take extra time for preventing.”

Garcia says he’s very conscious of Benavidez. He says he’s watched Benavidez his entire profession. He admits Benavidez is a troublesome fighter. Although he doesn’t have the talents and quickness to stick with him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRxhbN27Lvc

Danny has been boxing for twenty-four years. He’s carried out sufficient to definitely advantage Corridor of Fame consideration when he does decide to retire. In these 24 years, nevertheless, have come 1000’s of miles of street work, 1000’s of punches he threw and absorbed, and 1000’s of grueling hours honing and refining his physique for struggle.

What motivates him right now?

“It’s matter of believing in myself, and when that day comes once I cease believing in myself, that will likely be it,” Swift stated. “What retains me coming again? I adore it. I really like boxing and on Saturday, June 30, everybody goes to see me doing what I really like. They’ll see me being good, and on the similar time I’ll be letting my arms go. I don’t suppose I’ve been myself, who I’m within the ring, for a number of years now. The COVID pandemic actually messed me up. On Saturday, June 30, they’re going to see the true Danny Garcia. I’m again.”

Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. He might be adopted on twitter @JSantoliquito.