By: Sean Crose
Danny Garcia is returning the ring. With a return scheduled for July 30 against Jose Benevidez at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center, the so-called “Swift” is poised to fight for the first time since he was decided by Errol Spence in September. December 2020. However, the Philly native is 34 years old. is also setting up its sites in addition to Benevidez. The former player wants to challenge some of the sport’s bigger names. One of those names goes to the undisputed young middleweight world champion, Jermell Charlo. Garcia, who was a junior middleweight champion, thinks he can re-establish his prominence at the 154-pound class.
“We definitely want to be champions again at the age of 154,” Garcia announced on PBC Broadcast, “So if he has the title, we’ll play him.” There’s another notable fighter that Garcia has his eye on, one that could surprise. “There was another person calling my name,” Garcia said. “Lara wants to fight me. I knew he had a middleweight belt and he said he was going to fight me in a hot weight class.” Lara currently owns a WBA middleweight belt, which Garcia clearly wants for herself.
“After this match,” Garcia announced, “we get this W, I’m going to fight for a middleweight title at 155. I think that’s realistic. He said my name, I think it was a great fight. He has a great resume, I have a great resume. I think it was a great fight.” However, Garcia points out that, for now, his focus is on Benevidez. “Right now,” he said, “we’re worried about Jose Benavidez, but I think it’s an easy fight to make. He’s at PBC, I’m at PBC. There is really no stake. Benevidez, who has been less active lately, last fought last November when he drew against Francisco Torress. Before that, he was defeated by Terence Crawford in 2018.
“He fought at 140 when I was champion at 140,” Garcia said of Benevidez. “I think he is a regular champion. I’m a fan of boxing so I keep an eye on who’s new, who’s coming out, who’s around. I always watch over him and his brother. I think he got to the scene first. I’m pretty familiar with his style, I know what he brings.”
In terms of time away from the ring, Garcia clearly doesn’t see it as a big deal. “When you’ve been boxing for so long,” he says, “I don’t feel the rust affecting you.”
