Danny Garcia: The 10 Epic Fights at the Barclays Center

Danny García: Goodbye to Brooklyn with a Spectacular Knockout

Danny García, the Philadelphia pugilist, has forged a special bond with the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. In his tenth appearance on this stage, in an event promoted as “Goodbye to Brooklyn”, García demonstrated why this place became his boxing home. With a knockout in the fourth round over Danny González, García sealed his record at the Barclays with eight wins and two losses.

“Being able to promote my last fight at the Barclays Center and doing it because I want to, not because I have to, means a lot to me. It’s a dream come true, and I couldn’t ask for a better ending.”

Danny García

His Puerto Rican heritage was key to making Barclays feel like his second home. Alofoke Deportes reviews García’s ten performances in this emblematic venue, with his own words about each fight.

• 1. TKO4 victory against Erik Morales (October 20, 2012)

In the first boxing event at the Barclays Center, García faced Mexican legend Erik Morales. Previously, García had conquered the vacant WBC super lightweight title and the WBA title, consolidating a successful year. Although it wasn’t the desired city for the fight, the strong Puerto Rican community in New York made the Barclays a special place for García. “I remember I really wanted to fight in Philadelphia. At first, I wondered why I was going to Brooklyn, but I never thought about the millions of Puerto Ricans who live in New York, the diversity of the hip-hop community, and all the boxing fans. It was the perfect marriage,” García declared. In the fourth round, Garcia connected a left hook that sent Morales to the canvas, marking a memorable knockout.

“It was the perfect night. The first fight at the Barclays and I defended my titles with a knockout of the poster. There’s nothing better than that.”

Danny García

• 2. Victory by UD12 against Zab Judah (April 27, 2013)

García entered the territory of Zab “Super” Judah, former Brooklyn champion, in a rivalry-filled match for the unified 140-pound title. The fight was an exchange of blows, with García taking the lead and knocking down Judah in the eighth round. “Many people said I was clumsy and that I only hit hard when entering that fight. I loved having the opportunity to prove that I had more tools in the toolbox as a young champion with beautiful timing and a great counterpunch against a cunning boxer,” García recalled. The fight with Judah solidified Garcia as an attraction at the Barclays.

“The accumulation, the animosity, the crowd, everything was electrifying,” added Garcia.

Danny Garcia

• 3. Defeat against Keith Thurman by SD12 (March 4, 2017)

Despite the defeat, García considers this fight as one of his best moments in Brooklyn, in a nationally televised fight. Thurman won by split decision in front of an audience of 16,533 spectators.

“It was difficult to accept the defeat in that fight, but now that I look at it, it was a great night for boxing,” García expressed.

Danny García

Garcia was the aggressor in a clash between undefeated fighters, but Thurman combined his boxing and power punches well, taking the victory.

• 4. Victory against Lamont Peterson by MD12 (April 11, 2015)

The fight against Peterson was agreed upon at a weight of 143 pounds. García, who was not feeling well physically, had to work hard to win the first rounds and counter Peterson’s attack in the second half.

“It was good that he didn’t know I wasn’t feeling well,” Garcia said. “I had to dig deep and get to a place I’d never been mentally to finish that fight because I had no energy.”

Danny Garcia

• 5. TKO4 victory against Danny Gonzalez (October 18)

García ended his stage at the Barclays in the same way he started: with a knockout over a Mexican boxer. Although González was not at Morales’ level, García demonstrated his power with a left hook that sent him to the canvas, marking a perfect end to his time at the Barclays.

• 6. MD12 victory against Jose Benavidez Jr. (July 30, 2022)

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1553583154706800640

Although it wasn’t one of his best performances, the highlight was García’s overcoming, who revealed he had struggled with anxiety and depression. His post-fight speech resonated with the audience.

“I went through anxiety, deep depression, just trying to be strong. And the only way to get better was to fight again. I am a fighter”.

Danny García

García highlighted the importance of his post-fight message, which connected with the fans in a different way.

• 7. TKO9 victory against Paulie Malignaggi (August 1, 2015)

García faced another Brooklyn boxer, Malignaggi, in the welterweight division. García dominated the fight and secured a technical knockout victory in the ninth round.

• 8. TKO2 victory against Rod Salka (August 9, 2014)

García obtained a quick victory over Salka, with a spectacular knockout in the second round.

“I took a lot of heat for that fight,” Garcia said. “But that knockout lives with me forever.”

Danny Garcia

• 9. Victory by UD12 against Ivan Redkach (January 25, 2020)

García defeated Redkach in a preparation fight, demonstrating his dominance and preparing for future challenges.

“I got through it pretty easily,” Garcia said. “The fans came out and I did what I had to do.”

Danny Garcia

• 10. Defeat against Shawn Porter by UD12 (September 8, 2018)

García perdió una reñida decisión unánime contra Porter en una pelea por el título wélter del CMB. A pesar de no estar conforme con su desempeño, esta pelea le permitió dejar atrás el apodo de “Cherry Garcia”.