PHILADELPHIA, PA — Danny Garcia laughs at the notion that he’s getting chubby with this move up to 160 pounds. In fact, the two-division former titlist, who is 36 now, is far from fat. This is probably the most chiseled he has been in his long, distinguished pro career. He knows the meter is running down on what is a hall of fame career. Currently dangling in front of him is the cherry on top: WBA middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara (30-3-3, 18 knockouts) this Saturday night on the Canelo Alvarez- Edgar Berlanga undercard from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Lara, The Ring’s No. 4-rated middleweight, agreed to take on Garcia (37-3, 21 KOs) at a 157-pound catchweight, which may be more difficult for Lara to come down to than it will Garcia to come up.

“Call me a steak-and-potatoes man,” Garcia said, laughing after a recent workout. “I feel great. I have to gain a little weight to reach 157. I’m able to keep my weight up. There was a time when staying at 140 (where he reigned as Ring/WBA/WBA junior welter world champion), and at the end there at 147 (where he reigned as WBC welterweight titlist) was getting hard to make the weight. It was taking a lot out of me. This is the best I’ve felt in a while. I know when I fought at 154 (in a 12-round majority decision over Jose Benavidez Jr.), I felt amazing. I felt it was my natural weight.

“I get big, more muscular when I train. I can retain the weight now with the move up. I have sparred bigger guys, I feel my snap, and I feel my feet are good. I’m moving well. I feel way stronger mentally and physically. I can walk around at 163 and can throw all my focus into building a game plan. I am not training to lose weight, like I have in the past.”

“Swift” said he respects the Cuban expatriate, Lara. The southpaw, once considered a cutie who was reluctant to engage, has changed his whole stance. He has stopped his last three opponents, and he has been exciting doing it. Though he is 41, he has shown no signs of slowing down.

Garcia said he has studied Lara. He knows what he is in for. To prepare, his sparring partners were around 170, 175 pounds.

“I think this has a chance to be fight of the year,” Garcia said. “I’m ready for anything. If he wants to stay there and bang, we can bang it out. If I have to chase him around, then I have to chase him around. Or maybe, he will have to chase me around (laughs), but I doubt it. I feel strong here (at 157). I have carried my power with me. He may make the mistake of thinking that he is the stronger guy. If he thinks that, he will be very surprised at how strong I am. Just like everyone else. He can try whatever he wants to try.”

Garcia now owns a promotional company and several businesses in the Philadelphia area. He knows he is nearing the end and he wants to go out on his own terms.

At its zenith, Garcia’s career has featured victories over Hall of Famer Erik Morales (twice), his memorable, star-turning knockout over Amir Khan, and victories over Lucas Matthysse, Zab Judah and Nate Campbell. Though since 2018, he is 4-2, with losses to Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr.

“The only thing I am thinking about at this stage of my career is my legacy,” Garcia said. “I have a lot going on, with my promotional company, my businesses. I have real estate. I don’t think I have anything else to prove. I want to start giving back to other fighters. Beating Lara would definitely be the cherry on top.”

Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Magazine/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JSantoliquito [twitter.com]

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