Garcia vs. Vargas.

Nov 12th 2016.

From ESPN.

Welterweight world titleholder Danny Garcia plowed through huge underdog Samuel Vargas with ease, knocking him out in the seventh round of a nontitle fight Saturday at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia to set up big business next year.

The victory in the tune-up fight of the Premier Boxing Champions card in Garcia’s hometown was the final hurdle before a hugely anticipated world title unification fight against Keith Thurman, who joined the Spike broadcast team, on March 4 at a venue to be determined.

Regardless of where the fight takes place, the Thurman-Garcia fight is one of the most eagerly anticipated in boxing and a showdown between two of the best in the deep 147-pound weight division. They did their part to drum up interest with Garcia pummeling the hapless Vargas and then getting into a verbal confrontation and going nose to nose during a joint post-fight interview in the ring.

First Garcia (33-0, 19 KOs) had to dispose of Vargas (25-3-1, 13 KOs), and he did so easily in a one-sided destruction.

Just before the bell ended the second round, Garcia sent Vargas tumbling to the mat on the end of a powerful right hand. He barely beat the count, getting up just as referee Gary Rosato was about to finish the 10-count.

By the third round, Vargas’ left eye was black and blue and swelling. Garcia continued to pound him round after round and even threw him to the canvas like a rag doll during the seventh round, which drew a stern warning from Rosato.
Danny Garcia improved his record to 33-0 with 19 KOs when he scored a seventh-round TKO victory against Samuel Vargas. Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
Later in the seventh round, Garcia, 28, blasted Vargas, 27, who is from Colombia and fights out of Toronto, with two left hooks along the ropes and then fired six more hard shots. Vargas was in bad shape, and Rosato jumped in to wave off the fight at 2 minutes, 17 seconds, just as Vargas’ corner was throwing in the towel.

“I got beat up in there,” Vargas said. “It takes a lot of courage to come to North Philadelphia and fight the champ. It just wasn’t my night. I’ve been hit harder before, but it was the accumulation of punches that got to me.

“I thought he’d be a heavier hitter. He’s a great fighter and a great person for his city. I will be back. This was a great experience.”

With Vargas dismissed, it didn’t take long to bring the hype for March 4. Garcia stormed to the ring ropes and peered down at Thurman at his broadcast position and began to jaw with him.

“I’ve been waiting for this, man,” Thurman said. “I asked for this fight this year. This is what his team wanted — they wanted a tune-up. I was ready this year. He got to put on a nice performance for his fans. He got his confidence. He feels strong. He got his daddy [trainer Angel Garcia] in his ear talking and pumping him. This is going to be the third daddy’s boy that I beat. Believe that.”

Later, Thurman assessed Garcia’s performance.

“Danny looked strong. He always looks strong when he’s sitting there flat-footed and letting big hooks go,” Thurman said. “His opposition was never a threat to him at any point. Danny had a decent victory. They said that he wanted to tune up. Now he’s ready to come see me.

“You have two big punchers on March 4. I don’t see how the fight can go 12 rounds. Danny, in my opinion, is someone who has been slightly exposed in the past. I see myself as the best competition that Danny has ever faced. 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. I think my counters and my power is going to be the ultimate game-changer.”

Garcia, the former unified junior welterweight world champion, vacated his titles and moved up to welterweight in mid-2015. In January, he easily outpointed Thurman victim Robert Guerrero to win a vacant welterweight title, one of the belts Floyd Mayweather vacated upon his retirement.

Garcia had not fought since then and wanted a tune-up fight to get ready for Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs), 27, of Clearwater, Florida.

“I came here to do what I did today. I haven’t fought since January. I came to get some good rounds in and knock my opponent out at the end, and that’s what I did,” Garcia said.

When asked about the impending Thurman bout, Garcia whipped his hometown fans into a frenzy.

“Philly, if you all want to see me whip this guy’s ass, make some noise,” Garcia shouted to the crowd on the open mic.

The crowd went wild.

“I’m gonna whup him,” Garcia said. “There’s not much more to say. He got what he asked for, and now he’s going to face a real big dog. March 4 fans can expect what they always get from me. It’s going to be fireworks. I’m a Philly champion. I have the heart of a champion, and I’m coming to win and unify titles.”

Thurman had entered the ring and was standing just feet away from him when he responded, “I’m a different caliber. I’m not no cherry [picker]. I’m no easy pickin’s, boy.”

Then they went nose-to-nose, yelling at each other.

“Danny can talk whatever he wants, and Angel can say whatever he wants,” Thurman said. “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.”