Danny Garcia’s father adds fuel to hot Lucas Matthysse fight
LAS VEGAS — In what would be a main event on almost any other card, world junior-welterweight champion Danny Garcia of Philadelphia will fight Lucas Matthysse of Argentina just before the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fight Saturday night at MGM Grand.
The bout is a fight-of-the-year candidate, matching unbeaten Garcia’s strong boxing skills against the power punching of Matthysse.
For added effect, there’s Garcia’s controversial father-trainer Angel Garcia, who Wednesday told reporters he would cut off his own head if his son lost to Matthysse, and then Thursday expressed outrage at those supporting Matthysse (34-2, 32 knockouts).
While bettors rushed to support Garcia on Thursday, dropping Matthysse to a minus 240 (more than 2/1) favorite at MGM Resorts’ sports book, Matthysse’s favorite status along with opinions from writers that Matthysse’s power will defeat World Boxing Council and World Boxing Assn. champion Garcia (26-0) enraged the father.
“Vegas don’t know nothing, you don’t know nothing, I know everything,” Angel Garcia said at the podium, peering down at reporters.
He scolded Americans for supporting Matthysse.
“People still underestimate the champion,” Angel Garcia said. “The same country that sends you a welfare check … you sign it, don’t you? Then you’re an Americanito.”
Danny Garcia, who remains far calmer, said, “I’m not really worried about what people think or why they disrespect me. We’re going to mix it up, and I’ll see how he reacts after getting hit by a big shot. That’ll dictate the fight.”
Matthysse has dominated recent foes Mike Dallas Jr. (first-round knockout) and former world junior-welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (third-round TKO) in May.
“I’m starting to get used to all this attention,” Matthysse said through an interpreter. “Hopefully he comes toward me, I think we’ll both be aggressive. I can take it. I haven’t really showed my boxing, but I know how to box. It’s given me a lot of confidence to finish my fights early.”
Angel Garcia said the effects of Matthysse’s devastating power “is not going to happen to the champion of the world. People still underestimate the champion of the world.”
The savvy Danny Garcia, who’s defeated Amir Khan, Erik Morales and Zab Judah in succession, said, “He knows he has that power and can use it, but it’s my job to take that away. He’s had a couple good knockouts, and people are buzzing a bit.”
Angel Garcia dismissed Matthysse’s 32 victories as “nothing.”
“He’s not the best I’ve faced,” Danny Garcia said. “My dad’s mad right now, at the media. That’s just him. We never sat home and said, ‘Hey, Pop, you’re going to be the loud man and I’m going to be the laid-back guy.’ ”
Matthysse was asked what he thought of Angel Garcia’s act.
“I don’t understand what he says,” he said.
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