WITH Danny Garcia stepping up to welterweight and dispatching Paulie Malignaggi plenty more appealing fights should lie ahead of him. Alex Zendra runs down the top five next opponents for Garcia.
5. Shawn Porter
Both young explosive punchers will brew an exciting match-up. Ultimately Porter would be a great accolade to solidify Garcia’s presence in the welterweight division; but his speed, power and relentless come forward style is far from an easy task. And with Garcia having had problems with Lamont Peterson, “Showtime” Shawn Porter may have the antidote.
4. Tim Bradley
With “Desert Storm” Bradley soon to be the next holder of the WBO crown, due to Floyd Mayweather being stripped of the title, it should provoke Danny Garcia to seek the alphabet strap giving him bragging rights among the top welterweights. Also, Bradley’s less than fierce knockout ratio will appeal too.
3. Amir Khan
Despite Garcia handily taking out the Athens Olympic silver medallist with his signature left hook, he may still be haunted by Khan’s clustering hand speed. A rematch will be a statement for Danny Garcia that his victory over Khan wasn’t a fluke; however a repeat victory will not give him the credit needed in his new division.
2. Kell Brook
Cementing his status in capturing the current IBF crown from Shawn Porter stateside, Kell Brook will be a stern test for the Philadelphia native but Garcia would need another prep fight to get him to this potentially explosive chess match; taking on ‘Special’ in the UK will be an even bolder statement.
1. Keith Thurman
Undefeated counterpart has said he’d like to face Mr. “Swift”. Garcia has faced power in the form of Lucas Matthysse and passed the test. But can he handle the “one-time” puncher who is athletic and skilled, in Thurman?
Don’t miss next week’s issue of Boxing News magazine for an exclusive interview with Keith Thurman
