He’s heard all of the ‘Cherry’ jokes, and with Keith Thurman in attendance as a member of the announcing crew for Spike TV’s telecast of his bout with Samuel Vargas, Danny Garcia came out laser focused at the Liacouras Center in front of his hometown crowd.
Garcia scored a dominant, seventh-round TKO in a non-title fight over Vargas that was criticized from the beginning.
The table for #GarciaThurman is now set!! @DannySwift (33-0, 19 KO) stops Samuel Vargas in the 7th round in his hometown on #PBConSpike pic.twitter.com/Kez2fA9h53
— PBC (@premierboxing) November 13, 2016
The champion was dominating Vargas with hook after hook, and With Vargas up against the ropes late in round seven, Garcia landed another barrage of lefts, causing referee Gary Rosato to end the bout.
? #GarciaVargas #PBConSpike pic.twitter.com/7aBY7RpsHS
— PBC (@premierboxing) November 13, 2016
The win after a long layoff, was the final hurdle before his title unification showdown against Keith Thurman, on March 4 at a venue to be determine.
“Vargas did pretty good,” Garcia said. “I felt a little rusty. But I started putting my punches together well and I came out victorious. The overhand right knocked him down the first time. It was just a well-timed shot.
Hoping to already hype the huge bout — Garcia stood on the edge of the ring and started yelling toward Thurman.
Garcia was then interviewed with Thurman standing in the ring and said this about the trash talk.
“I just had to tell Keith he’s next,” Garcia said. “I’m going to whup him. There’s not much more to say. He got what he asked for and now he’s going to face a real big dog.”
Thurman offered this assessment of the champion while looking him in the eye.
“Danny looked strong,” Thurman said. “He always looks strong when he’s sitting there flat-footed and letting big hooks go. His opposition was never a threat to him at any point.”
Seconds later, the two had an epic face to face — where Garcia could be heard telling Thurman that he was going to “f*ck him up.”
Thurman-Garcia is one of the most eagerly anticipated in boxing and a showdown between two of the best in the deep 147-pound weight division.
The winner of the bout will be the new 147 pound king after TBE — Floyd Mayweather retired.
