Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada – Danny Garcia (24-0, 15 KOs) overcame Amir Khan’s (26-3, 18 KOs) flash in the early rounds to stop the former world champion in the fourth round of a scheduled twelve at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, July 14 on HBO World Championship Boxing.
Khan started out fast popping the jab and straight right hand, showing the obvious speed differential in the first round. Garcia countered well early on, but when he initiated the offense he found little success. Garcia took a warning for straying below the belt as he attempted to get at Khan’s midsection.
Khan started the second round reminding Garcia that he was in for a tough night. Garcia was able to pick off many of Khan’s shots, but the jab and right hand still got through Garcia’s defense on occasion. Khan’s hand speed was apparent, but he often lingered too long in close range, allowing Garcia to catch him with counter shots. A left hand opened a cut on Garcia’s right eyelid in the round as Khan offered up the left hook as a solution to getting around Garcia’s guard.
Garcia had more success getting inside in the third round while Khan stayed close to admire his flashy work. Khan resorted to tying him up when he got inside, but was warned for repeated grabbing and pushing. Later in the round, Garcia was warned again for punches below the belt line as he installed his plan to take away Khan’s foot speed.
Khan got sloppy in the third when he unleashed a wide right hand, allowing Garcia to land a counter left hook on the neck/jaw area, dropping him to the canvas with 22 seconds left in the round. Khan made it to his feet and stumbled to the ropes, but referee Kenny Bayless decided Khan was able to continue.
Garcia swarmed Khan, looking to put him away, but Khan was able to survive the end of the round while stumbling around on rubbery legs.
Garcia landed a few right hands that prompted Bayless to call for a standing 8-count early in the fourth round. Garcia landed another big right hand, forcing Khan to grab him and tie him up for the break. Another right hand forced Khan to settle into a firefight with the much slower Garcia, and he landed a solid left hook on Garcia as he fought for his life.
A few seconds later a glancing left hook sent Khan to the canvas for the last time in the fourth round. Khan made it to his feet, but Bayless decided that Khan had seen enough action for the night and called a halt to the action.
Danny and Angel Garcia showed respect for Khan in their respective post-fight interviews. Garcia told Max Kellerman “I knew Amir Khan is a great fighter, and he brought out the best in me.”
Garcia’s father and trainer, Angel Garcia, who predicted a fourth-round knockout victory for his son, also praised Khan, saying he knew Khan would “start fast, but die young.”
Garcia walks away with his WBC jr. welterweight title, Khan’s WBA title, and the (meaningless) Ring jr. welterweight title.
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