This Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, former champions Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez will grace the HBO airwaves in an intriguing matchup that has had the boxing world buzzing. Pitting Diaz’ relentless nature against Marquez’ technical brilliance is a pairing that doesn’t figure to disappoint, even more so because both men are fighting tirelessly to get back to the prestigious championship level they once enjoyed.
That same level of prominence is the same destination that nearly every professional fighter hopes to attain, but only a handful of boxers are able to fight and speak with the desired conviction that makes your really believe they can get there. Young Philadelphia native Danny Garcia, who fights on the Marquez-Diaz undercard, is a man who very well may be on his way to championship promise land, but in engaging in conversation with the 20 year old makes you realize just how early he is into his professional journey in the sport.
Undefeated at 10-0 with 7 knockouts in the Jr. Welterweight division, Garcia will be facing off with lightly regarded Cristian Favela in a bout he should most likely win impressively. The wear and tear that comes with the rigors of professional fighting and the possibility of a championship spotlight shining on him is something that Garcia is very distance from at this point. Still a kid in many regards, all Garcia can do is keep his head on straight, put in the hard work, and let the chips fall where they may. It may very well be a while before Danny Garcia makes his presence felt in the boxing world, but his understanding of the sport and everything it encompasses is very much on point.
Garcia recently spoke with 8CountNews about everything in his early career, from the difference in lifestyle he lives as a fighter to the competitive nature he has within, to the main priorities he faces in his life. In his own words, this is Danny Garcia, Anything But Average...
Built Tough…
“I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I grew up in the rough streets of Philadelphia and it was a tough childhood. I’ve just been in the gym my whole life. I love Philadelphia because it’s a tough city. Only the strong survive out here. It’s different because you have to have heart to live out here. Everybody out here is built tough.”
Falling in Love…
“I always had an interest in fighting ever since I was a little kid because I used to watch it growing up. My dad actually trained as an amateur and that made me really fall in love with boxing. I just like the competition and excitement of it. I used to shadowbox in front of the T.V. and then I realized that I really wanted to be the one who was in the ring.”
Understanding the Sport…
“At first I didn’t take boxing as seriously and I just kind of played around in the gym. I really didn’t understand what it was really about until I got a little older. I then found out about the discipline and mentality that it took to become a world champion. I realized that you could never lose focus if you wanted to make something out of yourself.”
Standing Out…
“I’m a boxer-puncher but I can brawl and mix it up as well. I’m a versatile fighter. I always saw myself as being different than the average fighter. I train harder and I always felt like I had the tools to stand out. I definitely felt that I was gifted as a fighter and went from there.”
Amateur Memories…
“My first memory that stands out as an amateur was winning my first National Championship when I was fifteen. When I was seventeen I won the U.S. National Championship in Colorado Springs. I think my biggest moment was the Olympic Trials in Houston, Texas when I almost made the Olympic team. I was the alternate but it was still a great experience. I also met a lot of amateur fighters who were great friends and are still friends as professionals now.”
Fighting in Las Vegas…
“Las Vegas is great and it makes you feel that you are the one fighting for the title. All the lights and all the people really make it special. When you walk through the casinos and you see all the fans it’s really great. It just motivates me to train hard so that I can be on the big stage one day in the main event. Just by watching how all the people come to the stadium it makes me want to one day be in the same shoes as those guys.”
Swift with Bernard Hopkins
A Different Life…
“I’m an athlete so I have to live a different life. I just have to stay focused and as long as I am different than the average 20 year old than I feel I am accomplishing my goal. First of all, I have to make sure I am in the gym. I have to cut all the free time out because if you mess around you can definitely get in trouble. As long as I am active and training and keeping my focus everything should be fine.”
Competitive Aspects…
“I’m glad that I got in contact with Golden Boy because working with them has gotten me the best fights and the best opportunities out there. It definitely is a great environment and the traveling has been really great. Still, for as much as I have loved everything that has come with boxing, at the end of the day the best thing I still love about this sport is the competition. Going up against different styles and learning to adapt is something I always look forward to.”
Getting Ready for the Moment…
“A lot of people who have seen my recent fights have been telling me that I have been in against tough competition, guys who haven’t been knocked out, and previous title contenders, so I can’t really say I’ve had any easy touches. My dad makes sure that I don’t get put in with any bullshit type of fights, that way when I do get to the top I will be ready because I know what’s it’s like to be in a tough fight. I’ve been in that competition before and I will be ready.”
On Target…
“I am pretty much always training but when I’m not training I pretty much make sure that I am always near my target weight. I usually try not to get above 148 pounds, that way when I have to buckle down I just have to eat the right foods and train hard and the weight easily comes off. My mom is Puerto Rican so you know I eat that Rice and Beans with the chicken. I like steak a lot but I try to stay away from steak before my fights.”
The Main Priority…
“If I weren’t a fighter I would probably be in to some other sports. Growing up I was always into boxing but I was also into other sports. I played football, basketball, and baseball, so I probably would be in sports or in school doing something else. Staying away from all of the negatives out there really helps create a better atmosphere for me. Worrying and focusing on my opponent and being ready every time I step in the ring is a main priority of mine.”
For more on Danny, please visit him at www.Myspace.com/YoungSwift2006
If you liked the article feel free to contact Chris at Trimond@aol.com or www.Myspace.com/BoxingHarmony
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