Danny Garcia Unifies The WBA & WBC Junior Welterweight Titles With KO Over Amir Khan

By Carlos Cordoba
Photos: Marlene Marquez
 

Philadelphia’s Danny Garcia savagely stops Amir Khan in the fourth round of the main event of HBO’s “World Championship Boxing,” hosted by Golden Boy promotions at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV. The Philadelphian unified the WBA & WBC Junior Welterweights titles with this extraordinary victory. The championship bout was televised live on HBO at 8:00 pm/ PST.

“I always knew I was going to win this fight,” said a jubilant Danny Garcia in the post fight ring interview after his monumental victory.

The early rounds were contrary to the end result. It was Amir Khan who immediately landed a ringing straight right to open the action. He was faster than Garcia, and more precise with his attack. In the contrary, Garcia was slower and threw looping hooks, which left him open to Khan’s counters. All the above would change with one left hook to the neck.

Danny Garcia, 24, landed a penetrating counter overhand left in the midst of an exchange. The hook immediately sent Khan on his back. Amir Khan was able make referee Kenny Bayless subsequent 8 count. It was a dubious call to allow Khan to fight on, so be it – the fight ensued. Garcia proceed to tee off, landing heavy artillery. This time around Referee Kenny Bayless had no option but to stop the action after Danny Garcia landed a left to the top of Amir Khan’s head, which was rapidly followed by a right hook that produced the second knockdown of the round. The bout was officially called 2 minutes, 28 seconds into round number four.

Las Vegas had 8 to1 odds that Danny Garcia would win by knockout. He did just that in the world’s sports betting mecca in the process becoming a certified boxing superstar.

Danny Garcia’s (24-0, 15KOs) WBC Junior Welterweight crown was originally going to be the only title at stake. The WBA Super Lightweight championship would later come into play for the same reason that brought Danny Garcia to Las Vegas.

Amir Khan walked into the ring tonight with the WBA 140 pound crown after having lost it to Lamont Peterson in Lamont’s hometown of Washington, D.C on December 10th, 2011. Peterson was able to pull off a split decision victory in a highly competitive affair. A rematch was scheduled for May 19th of this year. However, the rematch would later be canceled after Lamont Peterson tested positive for banned substances. By his own admission, the banned substances where taken before the first fight with Khan. Consequently, the WBA stripped Peterson and reinstated Khan as the proper titleholder. WBA’s decision set up tonight’s unification bout. As fait would have it, now Danny owns both titles.


Fernando Guerrero Defeats Jose Medina

Fernando Guerrero (24-1, 18Kos) earned a unanimous decision victory against game Jose Medina (17-11-1, 7KOs) in the co-featured bout of the night. The ten round Super Middleweight scrap lacked excitement.

Fernando Guerrero, 25, beat Jose Medina to the punch all night. He was just faster. The fighter in the white, red, and blue trunks landed a pristine straight right to score his the only knockdown of the night in round number two.

Dominican Republic’s Guerrero went on to easily control the fight that lacked excitement with the exception of the ninth round that saw Guerrero land some powerful punches with his back against the ropes. At the final bell, judges Erick Cheek and Dick Houck scored the bout 100-89, while Jerry Roth had it 99-90.


J Leon Love UD’s De Los Santos

J Leon Love (12-0, 7KOs) earned a unanimous decision victory against Joseph De Los Santos (10-10-3, 4KOs) in an eight round Super Middleweight scrap. Love floored his foe twice in the first round. De Los Santos made his way of the canvas and made the talented Love earn his victory. Judge’s Dick Houck, Al Lefkowitz, and Jerry Roth all scored the bout for J Leon Love with identical scores of 80-70.


Phil Lo Greco Stops Kevin Hoskins In Round One

Canada’s Phil Lo Greco (24-0, 12KOs) quickly disposes of Kevin Hoskins (16-1-1, 8KOs) in the opening round of the scheduled eight round Junior Middleweight fight. Kevin Hoskins’ demise came in carrying his right hand too low, a flaw the talented Phil Lo Greco took complete advantage off.

Phil Lo Greco, 28, scored his first knockdown with a strong left hook only seconds after the opening bell rang. The Canadian then followed through to land another penetrating left hook to score his second knockdown. Lo Greco went on to land two damaging right hooks causing referee Jay Nady to step in 1 minute, 26 seconds into round one.


Daquan Arnett Quickly Dispatches Eddie Cordova

Florida’s Daquan Arnett (5-0, 3KOs) knocks out Utah’s Eddie Cordova (3-3-1, 1KO) at the 1:39 mark of round number two. The bout was originally scheduled for six rounds in the middleweight division.


Jaime Kavanagh Pitches Shut Out

Jaime Kavanagh (11-0, 5KOs) earns a unanimous decision victory against Paul Velarde (3-2-3) in an eight round scrap in the lightweight division. Both fighters hail from California. Hollywood’s Kavanagh was just too much for Orange County’s Paul Velarde. Kavanagh worked off his stiff jab well, following up with strong straights to the torso and head. All three judges ringside scored the bout 80-72.


Abner Cotto Stops Juan Montiel

Puerto Rico’s Abner Cotto (14-0, 6KOs) stops Juan Manuel Montiel (7-6-3, 2KOs) in round number eight of their lightweight scrap. The bout was the opening fight of the night. Referee Jay Nady was forced to stop the action after Cotto scored two dominating knockdowns.

The talented Puerto Rican prospect dominated the initial assault with his lead left. He found a way to work in his straight right over his counterparts jab in round number two. The straight right went unopposed the entire night. Juan Manuel Montiel’s left eye was vivid proof of Abner Cotto’s dominance.