Sunday 15 July 2012

Garcia's Philly Left Hook KO's Khan in 4

Danny Garcia vs Amir Khan - WBC and WBA Super Lightweight Titles


In a wild and exciting fight at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Danny Garcia "talked the talk" and "walked the walk" as he upset huge favourite Amir Khan in 4 rounds to unify the WBA and WBC 140lb titles. It was the wide "Philly" left hook that did all the damage for Garcia as he knocked down Khan 3 times to claim the biggest win of his career. Garcia making his 1st defence of the title he won from legendary Erik Morales in March started the fight finding it hard to work out Khan's lighting speed. Khan coming off that disputed loss to Lamont Peterson started like he always does - fast and hard as he was able to land at will against his slower opponent who was still having a bit of success. In between rounds Garcia's father was beginning to get worried that his son was on the way to losing the fight as Khan clearly won the opening 2 rounds. Khan looked back to very best.

The fight took that dramatic turn late in the 3rd round as both were wailing away in what was a more even round before Garcia head down landed that left hook that landed behind Amir's jaw, partly on his neck. DOWN Khan went hard, it was Breidis Prescott all over again as Khan's legs betrayed him. Referee Kenny Bayliss gave a more than generous count to Khan before Garcia went crazy for the KO but time was against the underdog as there was only 12 seconds remaining in the round. Khan had survived another crisis, OR so he thought.

The minute break between round 3 and 4 was not enough time for Khan to shake those cobwebs as he was instantly under more attacks from Garcia who was desperately trying to end the fight. Khan went down again from another barrage, this time though he was able to get up AND fight back!. Khan is a warrior there is no doubt but there comes a time when you need to hold and survive, this is something Khan should have enough experience to do because this was not the first time his legs were not obeying the mind in his career. The end came 2.28 into the 4th when another big left hook caught Khan high on the head, as his legs betrayed him he stumbled back to the ropes where Ref Bayliss stopped the fight after getting an unsatisfactory response from the now 3 times beaten former champion.

Garcia will now move on to much bigger things with numerous options available to him at 140 and 147lbs. Khan on the other hand has a lot of thinking to do because this was his 2nd defeat in a row again a fighter who he was heavily favoured to beat.

Official purses for this fight was Khan $950,000 and Garcia $520,000.

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