By: Sean Crose
He was certainly one of premier names of the late Mayweather period. A multidivsion titlist, he had bested such notables as Amir Khan, Lucas Matthysse, Lamont Peterson, Pauline Malignaggi, Erik Morales and others. What’s extra, Danny Garcia’s three losses got here to possible Corridor of Famers Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, and Errol Spence. Briefly, Garcia’s profession had been nothing if not extremely profitable. Now, nonetheless, the Philly native is 36 years of age. What’s extra, Garcia has solely fought 3 times within the final 4 years. Garcia, nonetheless, is as soon as once more set to return to the ring. His opponent this time will fellow late Mayweather period notable Erislandy Lara.
Lara, though he owns the WBA middleweight title strap, hasn’t been notably lively himself as of late. Previously 4 years, the fighter referred to as “The American Dream” has solely fought another time than Garcia has. On prime of all that, Lara is 41 to Garcia’s 36. It could appear to be the previous timer’s league of boxing, however the truth is, Garcia-Lara should be an intriguing bout. Contemplating the truth that the middleweight division isn’t the hotbed of intrigue it as soon as was, every fighter has an opportunity to achieve prominence as soon as once more.
At his finest, Garcia is a pointy capturing counter puncher whereas Lara has been a slick and practiced boxer. He might have been referred to as a junior welterweight and welterweight, however now Garcia is preventing at center this time round. Will he nonetheless have the snap to his punches he used to? And what about Lara? At his age will he nonetheless have the fluidity that when made him such formidable competitors? These are the sorts of questions that typically come up when fighters previous their heydays stay in – or return to – the ring.
Lara-Garcia is the sort of battle that will be excellent on primary cable or streaming. You’ll must pay to see it – but it surely’s value noting that Lara-Garcia is a part of a powerful undercard for the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga bout on September 14 in Vegas. And, for individuals who bear in mind or loved watching Garcia and Lara round a decade in the past, there’s some nostalgia in play right here, too.
On prime, after all, of the WBA middleweight belt. Main titles have a method of retaining a fighter present, in any case. The winner of Lara-Garcia will definitely shall be growing older, however nobody will have the ability to name him irrelevant.
