For this week’s round-up of boxing action from around the world we look at Danny Garcia’s return to the ring.
Garcia 32-0(18KO’s) has not seen action since January, and this return on the PBC platform does little to get the heart pounding – apart from in frustration.
Turning Garcia into a household name through free-to-air fights is not going to work if he contests just 2 fights in 12 months, and following on from an expected 12 round victory over Robert Guerrero – far more competitive than most thought it would be – an expected first half finish of Samuel Vargas should follow.
Vargas 25-2-1(13KO’s) is a tough competitor from Columbia, but Errol Spence Jr dished out the truth in 4 rounds last year, and Garcia must follow that act in his hometown of Philadelphia.
A super-fight with WBA Welterweight ruler Keith Thurman is set for next March, so expect no mistakes from the WBC champion on Saturday night.
Javier Fortuna continues his return on the undercard as he faces an unbeaten Omar Douglas.
Fortuna lost his unbeaten record and his WBA Super Featherweight strap when ahead on all three scorecards against Jason Sosa. But Sosa scored a stunning knockout, and Douglas 17-0(12KO’s) will look to do the same in Philly.
But this is a relative step-up for Douglas against an experienced but still improving Fortuna 30-1-1(22KO’s).
Confidence will be vital in this clash, and if Fortuna’s has been knocked then Douglas could score a career best win. But the pick is for Fortuna to move himself back into title contention with a points victory.
Jarrett Hurd was set to face Willie Nelson in a fascinating Super Welterweight clash, but he must now settle for what many will regard as a routine win over under-sized Ionut Dan Ion – or Jo Jo Dan.
Hurd 18-0(12KO’s) looks a very promising talent, impressing in back-to-back stoppages of Frank Galarza and Oscar Molina.
He can add to that streak with another stoppage over the former Kell Brook foe, stopping Dan 35-3(18KO’s) inside 5 rounds.
