Junior welterweight top dog Danny Garcia held a media workout this week in preparation for his title defense against Zab Judah in a few weekends. Right here, you’ll find what Garcia has to say, as well as some choice quotes from his father Angel Garcia, who’s never shy in front of the microphone.
DANNY GARCIA, Unified Super Lightweight World Champion
“He [Zab Judah] is just another guy in my way. They all say the same thing. They think they’re going to beat me…until we get into that ring.
“Everything is going solid. This is one of my most solid camps. I’m running and sparring and looking sharper every day. We’re running a perfect schedule.
“[On his rib injury that postponed the originally scheduled February 9 fight date] I got hurt sparring. Boxing is a contact sport. It’s my first injury ever as a professional. I feel like there shouldn’t be any questions. My team and I made the right decision.
“Zab is from Brooklyn, but I’m the hometown guy. I was in New York City a few weeks ago, and a lot of people told me they are rooting for me. I know the crowd is going to be for me that night. I’m the champ.
“I feel like I’m hungrier now than ever. Everyone wants what I have. I have to always be on my A game. If you think like a champion, act like a champion and walk like a champion, you are a champion.
“I’m not really concerned about anything [that Judah will do in the fight]. I know I’m going to be at 110 percent and in perfect shape.
“I’ve fought tons of southpaws in the amateurs and in the pros. It’s easier for me because I can land my hard left hand and hard left hook.
“Experience doesn’t mean anything when you get hit. It is about how you can take a punch. When you get hit and let your hands go, experience doesn’t matter.
“I have to keep showing the world that I’m the best 140-pound fighter
“I think it’s personal when you go into a fight and a man is trying to hurt you. It’s always personal.
“[On the support of Philadelphia fans] It means a lot because Philadelphia is a fighting city. The support of the Latino community means a lot. There has never been a Latino world champion that has come out of Philadelphia. I have Latino kids come up to me everyday and thank me and say they look up to me. I want to keep holding it down for my city.
“Every fight, my fan base is grows. That’s how it is supposed to be. I’m happy that my city’s following me.
“I’ve been going to this gym since I was 10 years old. Everyone here knows me. Kids I grew up with tell me to keep doing my thing. They pay attention and recognize the hard work.
“140 [pounds] is a great division. I have been at 140 since the amateurs. I think I have two or three more left at this weight.
“You are going to see the best Danny Garcia on April 27. I am predicting a fourth round knockout.
“I don’t really have anything to say to him [Judah]. I am going to do what I do best, and punch him in the mouth.”
ANGEL GARCIA, Garcia’s Father & Trainer
“Danny doesn’t care what people say, but he is the champ.
“The truth hurts. Zab Judah fought Vernon Paris a year ago. Paris gave him nine rounds. Zab had his day. This is a new era of fighting. This is the Danny Swift era. He is the champion of the world.
“When Danny is fighting, I am in the ring with him. His opponent is fighting two spirits, not just one.
“The fighters needed someone to step up to the plate and SHOWTIME stepping up is the best thing that they ever did.
“Viva SHOWTIME!
“I train him, he fights them and Al Haymon picks them. At 140 pounds, no one can beat the champ.
“When it comes to the injury, things happen. He is on his A Game now.
“People say Danny is a basic fighter, but come on…he is the champion of the world.
“Danny went to college…he got his degree [in the ring]. A few more years he will get his masters.
“People are always going to talk. I don’t care what they say. I know we’re happy. Danny has more haters than lovers, but those are the people that are going to come see him. As long as they pay the money to see him, I’m happy.”
Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia’s Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attraction, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin puts his title on the line against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).
