Danny Garcia Retains WBC and WBA Titles By Majority Decision With Power Punching in Puerto Rico
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
Bayamon, Puerto Rico (March 16th, 2014)–Danny Garcia hits hard. Mauricio Herrera jabs better. The contrasting styles of Danny Garcia and Mauricio Herrera made for a great 12 round main event Golden Boy Promotions show at Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Garcia, now 28-0, 16 knockouts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just did retain his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association Super World Light Welterweight titles with a 12 round majority decision win over hungry and game challenger Mauricio Herrera, now 20-4 with seven knockouts, Riverside, California.
Herrera, who had an eight week camp for this bout, came in immaculately prepared and walked Garcia down all night. Garcia started fast, and dominated the early rounds with consistent and frequent power punching. Herrera came on in the second half of the bout, boring his way in, taking Garcia’s best shots, and making Garcia eat jab after jab in the process.
After eight rounds, the W.B.C. open scoring had Garcia ahead 78-74, 78-74, and 75-77 on two of the three scorecards. The television commentators felt Herrera was way ahead. By the punch count, Herrera did just out punch Garcia in terms of punches thrown (695 to 675) and punches landed (221 to 204).
The difference in such a mega bout decided on such squeaker numbers was then impact punches. Garcia landed 150 of 402 power shots, to Herrera landing 82 of 276 power shots. Garcia’s impression collection of power shots landed evidently was more than enough to sway the judges, and offset Herrera landing 139 of 419 jabs thrown, Garcia landed only 54 of 273 jabs thrown, but the jab statistics did not matter in the end.
Herrera was immaculately prepared, and at times Garcia was the one on the ropes, or the one tying Herrera up. Herrera has now lost three decisions to Garcia, Karim Mayfield, and Mike Alvarado, fighters with a combined record of 75-0-1 whenhe fought them. Herrera is a fearless fighter.
According to Garcia, “He (Herrera) is a crafty veteran. He was well prepared for the challenge. I know how to make adjustments. I just had to keep my composure and keep fighting. That’s what it is when you are the champion everyone’s out for what I’ve got.”
Will Garcia remain fighting at 140 pounds, or will he move up and began an entirely new world title quest at 147 pounds?
According to Garcia, “I’ve been fighting at 140 pounds for eight years, since the amateurs, and I’m thinking of moving up.”
Herrera felt he won the bout and deserved the decision he was denied. “I came perfectly prepared to fight. I put on the pressure. I started slow but finished fast. I felt I won the fight, I felt I landed more punches. I think it was close, but I think I won the fight. Give me another chance!”
Garcia thanked his Boricua Puerto Rican fans in attendance for coming to support him after the bout.
Result: Danny Garcia Win Majority Decision 12 Mauricio Herrera
Garcia Retains the WBC and WBA Super World Light Welterweight Titles
Scoring: 114-114 Draw. 116-112, 116-112 Garcia. Referee: Tony Weeks
In the undercard, George Sosa, the underdog welterweight fighter whose interview appeared in Real Combat Media, lost to Ed Paredes. Fighting at a contractual catchweight of 150 pounds (plus or minus one bout), Sosa got dropped by Ed Paredes, who then landed a few more punches, prompting the referee to stop the bout. Trainer Mike Melendez felt the stoppage was premature and felt his fighter was robbed.
Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez Undercard Bouts
Deontay Wilder KO 1 Malik Scott, Heavyweights (1:36)
Daniel Jacobs TKO 1 Milton Nunez, Super Middleweights (2:25)
Juan Manuel Lopez TKO 2 Daniel Ponce DeLeon, Featherweights
Ed Paredes TKO 2 George Sosa, Light Middleweights (150 Pounds Catchweight)
Prichard Colon TKO 2 Shad Howard, Super Welterweights
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