Danny “Swift” Garcia – Golden Boy's Golden Fighter Returns to the Boxing Ring Tonight! Ken Hissner (May 7, 2010) Doghouse Boxing
Danny “Swift” Garcia may be the best prospect to come out of Philly since Meldrick Taylor won the 1984 Olympics and the IBF light welterweight title four years later. Golden Boy Promotions has him on the same schedule looking for a title bout in 2011. Taylor won that title in his 21st fight.
Garcia won the under 19 nationals in 2005 and was US National champion in 2006. He compiled a 107-13 amateur record and has been talked about in the Philly gyms since boxing at the 2003 Spring Ring King at age 13. He got to the finals of the Olympic trials and was the alternate on the team in 2007. Some of the amateurs now professionals that Garcia defeated were Terrance Crawford, 11-0, Mike Dallas, Jr., 13-0-1, Dan O’Connor, 11-0, Luis Ramos, Jr., 15-0, Prenice Brewer, 15-0-1, Ray Robinson 11-1, and split with Jeremy Bryan, 13-1, whom he defeated in rematch in the Olympic Trials. These are their professional records and as you can see, Garcia defeated some of the best young talent in the country.
“I hope to be the first Golden Boy fighter to win a world title that started with them from my first fight,” said Garcia. “Plans are to fight for a title sometime next year,” he added. “God has things in store for you,” said Angel Garcia. “My son Eric will second me with Billy Briscoe serving as cut man on Friday night. His father took over the training early in his son’s career. Garcia comes to South Philly headlining this Golden Boy promotion at the Arena on Friday, May7th. Philly’s Dargan brothers, Karl and Mike will be on the undercard. This will be part of a Telefutura show.
Though it is the second time in his 16 fights as a professional, the unbeaten Garcia will have fought in his home town it will be his first main event. In December he was the star of the show at the Liacouras Center (Temple U.), in North Philly. He scored a dramatic 2nd round knockout over Enrique Colin, 19-5-3, for the WBC Youth Intercontinental light welterweight title. This was the co-feature with Bernard Hopkins defeating Enrique Ornelas. In 2007 Colin had defeated Mike Stewart in Philly and gone the distance with contender Demitrius Hopkins in Atlantic City.
Garcia dropped Colin with a combination in the 1st round. He beat the count as the bell saved him. It only prolonged what was going to happen in the 2nd round. Garcia’s hand speed is exceptional. “When I turned professional and put on those small gloves I found I was puncher,” said Garcia. That he is. Within a minute of the 2nd round another combination put Colin face down for the count at 0:55.
He debuted in Atlantic City in November of 2007 stopping Mike Denby, 0-0-1, in 1:08 of the 1st round. On the Mayweather-Hatton card in Las Vegas, he dropped a fleeting Jesus Villareal, 1-2-1, with a left hook in the 2nd round. When he got up Garcia was all over him until the referee came to his rescue at the 2:28 mark. After four more knockouts Garcia went the distance for the first time in a six winning every round in defeating southpaw Julio Gamboa, 28-12-2, a one time title challenger from Nicaragua.
In October of 2008 on the undercard of Pavlik and Hopkins, Garcia dropped Deon Nash, 5-5, in the 3rd round with a left hook. Upon rising Garcia walked him to the ropes and dropped him with a jab. This is the punch that he sometimes forgets he has due to his quick combinations that cause destruction. He showed in this fight what an effect tool the jab is. Upon rising Garcia jumped on Nash until the referee came to his rescue.
Four decision wins would follow, with the last three being over 8 rounds. Garcia found himself fighting in California, Nevada and Texas, mostly. In June of 2009 over ESPN2 he would encounter Pavel Miranda, 16-3, who won the WBC Youth light welterweight title in 2008. Garcia had Miranda down twice in the 2nd round before it was stopped at 0:56 of the round.
In August, Garcia was matched with Colombian southpaw Oscar Leon, 28-9, who was coming off a win over Ira Terry, 21-1, in his last fight. Leon was stopped in 3 rounds. This set the stage for Garcia’s first fight in Philly with Colin the end of 2009. His biggest fight to date was next in meeting Ashley Theophane, 25-3-1, of the UK, who was on a five fight win streak since his only other appearance in the US. The bout would take place in February in El Paso, over ESPN2. Though this writer saw Garcia a clear winner 97-93, the officials had it closer with the Philly boxer winning a split decision. “It was my toughest fight so far,” said Garcia. “It was a learning experience,” he added.
Garcia’s put’s his faith first in entering the ring. “I pray every night to God. He’s on my side every time I step into the ring,” said Garcia. He’s got a million dollar smile that sometimes flashes during a fight. I asked if he was on edge for this fight. “A little,” he said with a smile. He had over two hours of gym time just four days before his fight. He looked tireless skipping rope. It doesn’t take long being around him to realize he is a nice young man. That is definitely a reflection on his parents. If you go on You-Tube he has the most adorable young twin sisters wearing gloves hitting the pads with their big brother. With his father and brother in his corner it’s a family affair.
Christopher “Kid Kayo” Fernandez, 18-9-1, out of Salt Lake City, will be in the main event with Garcia. Fernandez had a 10 bout win streak broken in 2007 in Philly at the Blue Horizon. Since then he had been in with current IBF/WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander and former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi. He was able to rock Malignaggi in that fight going the distance with him in 2009. This will be another learning experience for Garcia especially being the main event before his hometown fans. Scheduled on the card was heavyweight Joey “Polish Thunder” Dawejko, 3-0 (1), who suffered an ankle injury in training. He grew up with Garcia out of the Harrowgate Gym in Philly. “I knew Danny since I started boxing. He was like a brother to me. Not many people know this but I learned a lot from him. He and I used to spar when we were young and he taught me a lot. I really look up to Danny now as he is one of my best friends”. Dawejko has won his share of amateur titles prior to turning professional in September under the management of former world champion Hasim Rahman.
Garcia was born, Danny Oscar Garcia, in 1988, just turning 22 in March. Considering his two favorite fighters have been Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar DeLaHoya, to who is now his promoter, the future is bright. Shelly Finkel is Garcia’s manager, who once managed Meldrick Taylor among many others. It seems all the pieces are falling into place for the young Garcia. In just 30 months he has won 16 fights, 10 by knockout with number 17 coming up this Friday in South Philly at the Arena. In November the Philly fans only got to see their future world champion for 55 seconds so hold onto your seats. When Danny “Swift” Garcia enters the ring, don’t be fooled by that smile because there’s a combination behind it that can close the show early!
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