Earlier today, we brought you the exciting announcement that Danny “Swift” Garcia vs. “The Machine” Matthysse is a done deal. The two fighters will meet in a decisive bout which will anchor the undercard of “THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo” on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME PPV.
Right here, you’ll find more details on the bout, including opening quotes from both Garcia and Matthysse.
If Mayweather vs. Canelo is “THE ONE” fight for boxing fans worldwide, then the highly anticipated Garcia vs. Matthysse is “THE ONE-A.” Garcia, the undefeated WBC, WBA Super and The Ring Magazine World Champion, has emerged as the division’s dominant force over the last 18 months by dismantling world champions Amir Kahn, Zab Judah and Mexican legend Erik Morales twice. Matthysse burst on to the world stage in May by seizing the scoring an electrifying knockout of highly skilled World Champion Lamont Peterson. The third-round knockout of Peterson put the world on notice that Matthysse’s power was to be feared and that The Machine was rising to the division’s top spot.
“This is the fight I wanted and the fight that I asked for. That is why I’m so happy this fight has been made and will be a part of this huge event,” said Danny Garcia.
“I’m more confident than ever in my abilities and I’m going to show it on September 14. Matthysse is a good fighter and has a big punch, but I’m a talented fighter with what it takes to be a champion and stay that way. This is an opportunity for the world to see what I can really do in the ring.”
“I’m glad I finally get a chance to fight Danny Garcia,” said Lucas Matthysse.
“This is the fight that the entire boxing world (especially my country Argentina) and I wanted. I want to thank my promoters Golden Boy Promotions and Mario Arano for making this fight possible. On September 14, I will show the world that I am the best 140 pound fighter on the planet.”
“Floyd was adamant about giving fans what they wanted to see when he chose Canelo Alvarez as his opponent for his September 14 fight,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions.
“We’re thrilled that Garcia vs. Matthysse has been added to the card, and that fans will be getting even more boxing at its best.”
“The compelling match-up between Garcia and Matthysse could absolutely be its own main event,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.
“We’ve added another fight that fans have been clamoring for to an already stellar night of boxing. With the addition of this mega fight we are certain that “THE ONE” will continue to break boxing records.”
“Boxing is at its finest when the best step up to fight the best, and this is what we have with Mayweather and Canelo and now Garcia and Matthysse,” said President of Golden Boy PromotionsOscar De La Hoya.
“September 14 will be one of the most memorable nights of boxing we have been treated to in a long time.”
“Garcia vs. Matthysse is a fight fan’s dream matchup,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.
“It is a main event-quality fight by itself. To add it to what is already the biggest pay-per-view main event in years, makes the September 14 event the best PPV card in recent memory.”
The demand for Garcia vs. Matthysse began immediately after Matthysse brutally knocked out Peterson, dropping him three times, this past May 18 in Atlantic City, N.J.
