Danny Garcia retained the unified super lightweight world title with an impressive performance against the favored Lucas Matthysse. Utilizing solid combinations and body shots, Garcia executed a solid game plan en route to a unanimous decision (115-111, 114-112, twice).
Matthysse (34-3, 32 KO’s) entered the fight having knocked out five of his last six opponents and a reputation as one of the most feared punchers on the planet. But the Argentinean knockout artist’s power wasn’t as apparent against the aggressive Garcia (27-0, 16 KO’s), who silenced his doubters and defended his WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Titles.
Seemingly down on points, Matthysse came out with a vengeance in the eleventh to kick off the championship rounds, knocking Garcia’s mouthpiece out with a powerful straight right.
But, after a brief pause to recover the mouthpiece, Garcia bounced back and floored Matthysse for the first time in his career.
“I’m the champion of the world,” said the proud Philadelphia native. “The champion of the world isn’t scared of anyone. If you can make it out Philly you can make it out of anywhere.
“The only way to slow him down was to go down to the body and throw combinations upstairs. I just let my hands go.”
Garcia landed a straight jab to Garcia’s right eye in the seventh round that completely closed the eye within 45 seconds. Garcia continued, but did so with a comprised depth perception.
“I only had one eye for half of the fight but, it’s no excuse,” Matthysse said. “He fought a great fight. He’s a great champion and we knew he wasn’t intimidated by my punching.”
In the first of three world championship bouts on the telecast, Carlos Molina dethroned defending champion Ishe Smith, capturing the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship with a split decision victory (112-116, 116-112, 111-117).
In the opening bout of the PPV telecast, Pablo Caesar Cano (27-3-1, 20 KO’s) scored a split-decision victory (97-93, 98-92 Cano, 96-94 Theophane) over Ashley Theophane (33-6-1, 10 KO’s).
