Undefeated WBC, WBA (Super) & The Ring Light Welterweight Champion, Danny Garcia arrived in Puerto Rico this week to throngs of island fans. The native Philadelphian’s parents both left the island for better economic opportunity in the States and fate brought them together in Philly.
It is a certainty that Garcia realizes the magnitude of this bout for his career. Having built a solid reputation and fan base in the States the only element that would push his brand over the top is if the island of Puerto Rico throws unconditional support around him.
When looking at other notable Puerto Rican boxing champions like Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto, their wealth of support for Puerto Rican fans made them pay-per-view darlings. Garcia is still rising after a co-main event appearance on the Mayweather vs. Canelo card where he delivered a dominant performance over Lucas Matthysse.
A win in Puerto Rico this weekend over Mauricio Herrera would further solidify Garcia’s relevance as a legitimate star that can rally the support of some of boxing’s most loyal fans. Also, the march towards an inevitable matchup against pound-for-pound king, Floyd Mayweather, is more likely with each win and fan gained.
However, Mauricio Herrera is no cupcake fight for Garcia. Having entered the professional boxing world relatively late at 27 years old, the now 33 year old has a record that shows he capable of giving Garcia problems.
At 10-3, all of Herrera’s losses came by way of decision, which exhibits his ability to go the distance. In addition he won the IBF North American Light Welterweight title from Ruslan Provodnikov back in 2011. Provodnikov won the Boxing Writer’s Association Award for Fight of the Year for his bout against Timothy Bradley last May.
However, having only won two fights by KO, Herrera will have to dig deep to beat Garcia, who is on the path towards a potential Mayweather matchup, in his familial native land.
