Danny Garcia has admitted he is now reconsidering his career. After losing to Erislandi Lara only at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night
Referee Thomas Taylor stopped the fight in the ninth round after Garcia’s father and trainer, Angel Garcia, threw in the towel. This gave Lara the TKO victory. and successfully defended the WBA middleweight championship
A disappointed 36-year-old Garca (37-4, 21 KO) said he tried to do big things but failed. “I had to sit down and think about it,” he explains. “You know, I haven’t had a very long career. You know, I’ve been at the top of my game for 12 years.”
Garcia, from Philadelphia, is fighting for the second time in four years since losing a 12-round unanimous decision to Errol Spence Jr in a WBC and IBF unification bout in December 2020. Since then, Garcia won a majority decision victory over Jose Benavidez Jr in July 2022.
When asked if he agreed with his father’s decision to end the fight, Garcia replied, “Absolutely.” I mean, in the end, He always does what’s best for me. I apologize to all my fans. I tried to make this night great.”
The Philadelphia native talked about his mental health struggles. and said he is trying to fight the oldest Cuban champion, Lara.
“I can overcome things outside of the ring. So if you are struggling with your mental health, stay strong. I tried to fight through it tonight. And it wasn’t just my night.
“I tried my best. It didn’t click. I couldn’t do it. I have no excuse.”
Meanwhile, Angel, Garcia’s father and trainer. Said he welcomes any decision. About his son’s boxing future
“It was an honor to be here and see Danny fight. Maybe it will be my last, I don’t know, only God knows.
“I think he has to decide what he wants to do. But whatever he wanted to do, I agreed.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist specializing in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column called “From The Ringside” in his home country of Ghana for many years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, on LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and by email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com–
