WBA and WBC light welterweight champion Danny "Swift" Garcia (25-0, 16 KO) will finally defend his titles against Zab "Super" Judah (42-7, 29 KO) on Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
To say there is friction between these two fighters is like calling the Grand Canyon a small crevice. There have been numerous confrontations, shouting matches, etc. at pre-fight events.
Arena security may earn their money separating the two camps in this one, no matter what the outcome is. You can feel the tension in this promo through your monitors or displays on your mobile devices.
The fight was originally scheduled for February, but an injury to the champion forced a postponement. Garcia will be defending his title for the third time. Judah is in search of his fifth world title in his successful, yet disappointing career.
The crowd should be on his side, though. He was born and raised in New York's most populous borough. Garcia is a Philadelphia fighter so the natural East coast rivalry exists in this matchup as well.
Beyond the clash of skills from two accomplished fighters and the bad blood, the crowd dynamic should make for a fun fight environment.
Unless you have a ticket to the festivities, here's how you can watch:
When: Saturday, April 27, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn
TV: Showtime
Stream: Replay on Showtime Anytime (Subscription Required)
Highlights of the Hype
What's Beef?
The fight is in Brooklyn, so I couldn't help but quote one of the boroughs greatest MCs, the Notorious B.I.G.
You saw the fracas that erupted in the press conference that was featured in the Sho Sports promo, but the two sides haven't stopped jawing and nearly coming to blows since.
Much of this is fueled by the mouth of Angel Garcia, Danny's father. The elder Garcia has drawn the ire of Danny's opponents in the past.
He made racial remarks about Amir Khan prior to Garcia's win over him.
It seemed to get under Khan's skin, possibly even taking him out of his game plan. It seems to be a winning formula for the Garcias, as Danny admitted in the Sho Sports video, "he talks the talk and I back it up."
Apparently, Judah is not just letting the barbs Angel shot his way roll off his back.
On Wednesday, Michael Woods of ESPN reported that Judah crashed a Garcia promotional event at Modell Sporting Goods, which is across the street from the Barclays Center.
Check out the skirmish here:
We've all known a guy in high school, college or some other environment where juveniles rule, whose aggression is heightened when there is a crowd.
In typical loud mouth fashion, Angel gets borderline "out of control" when he's sure the big men around him won't allow anyone from Zab's camp to get in striking distance.
Can't we all just wait until Saturday to fight?
True enough, Zab seemingly came to the event looking for a confrontation. When the elder Garcia is involved, that's never too hard to find.
Woods of ESPN was still on the case later in the day. He reported that the elder Garcia told NYFightBlog that Judah actually spat at the Garcias' vehicle and slammed his hands on the hood.
What a mess.
Needless to say, the final press conferences were...interesting. With relations so bad, each side had to occupy the room separately.
Check out this spirited rant from Judah. I was waiting on Mike Gundy to come out and tell us he was 40, or for Allen Iverson to talk about practice.
The Book on Garcia
Team Garcia
Though it pains me to say it, Angel has actually helped Danny's career. Without his father serving as the Paul Heyman to his Brock Lesnar, Garcia would be a successful, but bland fighter.
We all know in boxing, bland never gets you the paydays and back-to-back spots as the featured fighter at the Barclays Center.
Garcia has his father to thank for this just as much as his fists and instincts. He appears to be nothing spectacular in the ring, but he just keeps winning. Combine that with Angel's drama and you have a fighter on the cusp of becoming a household name.
In all honesty, the only truly elite talent at light welterweight he's faced is Amir Khan. But we've all seen the Brit's chin betray him against Garcia and others.
Two wins over a washed-up Erik Morales and a split-decision over talented, but enigmatic Kendall Holt are the highlights of Garcia's career.
Even if he defeats Judah, once you remove the emotion from the situation, it won't prove a whole lot.
Judah has routinely slipped up in these types of situations his whole career. Garcia isn't exactly in a no-win situation, but the floor is lower than the ceiling is high.
If he beats Judah, fans will say: "same old Zab, the four-round fighter." If Judah wins, some will say: "wow, I can't believe he lost to a 35-year-old Zab Judah."
Garcia needs to win this fight to back up his dad's wolf tickets, but also to stay on track for the type of fight that will truly put him over as one of the sport's best.
In the Ring
Garcia's best attributes are his heart, poise and instincts. He isn't overwhelmingly quick or powerful, though he does have decent KO power.
His left hook is his most dangerous punch. That is the shot that put Khan on dream street and spun Morales around like a top in their second meeting.
Check out the highlights:
Garcia can be taken advantage of by fighters with fast hands and good feet. Khan was dominating him before he got caught.
As Judah indicated during one of the skirmishes, Garcia stands flat-footed a lot. If Judah can maintain movement, he could give Garcia a lot of problems.
The Book on Judah
Last Chance to Win the Big One
Judah had been known as a bit of a hot head earlier in his career. In recent years, he has seemingly calmed and matured. Apparently, the father of his opponent has brought the beast in Judah back.
He is charged for this fight. Much of it is because of the trash talk from Angel, but the other side is likely associated with the sheer urgency of the situation.
Judah probably won't get another shot at a major title or big payday if he fails. That is a lot to grasp for a man that has lived boxing since 1996.
Beyond the desire to shut the elder Garcia's mouth, Judah is fighting for his livelihood. Can he finally step up and win a huge fight?
In the Ring
Judah has speed, power and excellent boxing instincts, but there has always been something missing.
More specifically, Zab struggles with control of his emotions and stamina. At times, I think the two go hand-in-hand for him.
Zab out-boxed Floyd Mayweather for the first four rounds in April 2006. Mayweather made a few adjustments and the wheels came off for Judah.
He hit Mayweather low and that kicked off a series of events that escalated into a brawl. Take a look at rounds nine and 10 here, the commotion starts at the end of the 10th.
Routinely, Zab gets gassed, loses his cool and results to fouling or looking for a way out of the fight. If he can find it within himself to stay on course, he can beat Garcia.
But for Zab, that is a big "if."
Prediction
I have an inkling to pick Zab in this fight, but his track record makes me nervous. The lack of emotional control he has exhibited in the buildup for this fight downright frightens me.
Expect him to do well early, but at some point, he will lose focus and that will open the door for the champion. He will win a decision that sees him win the last four rounds, or stop Judah late.
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