Philly's Garcia KO's Khan to unify titles

Juniata Park's Danny Garcia after his upset victory over Amir Khan of England. He thanked "all Philadelphia."
Juniata Park's Danny Garcia after his upset victory over Amir Khan of England. He thanked "all Philadelphia." (ERIC JAMISON / AP)
By Andy Samuelson, For The Inquirer
Posted: July 15, 2012

LAS VEGAS - Danny Garcia backed up all his father's bold predictions Saturday night, defeating Amir Khan by fourth-round TKO.

The undefeated 24-year-old Philadelphia native from Juniata Park (24-0, 15 KOs) unified the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association light-welterweight titles in an HBO-televised fight at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino when he connected with a big left hook in the third round that floored Khan (26-2, 18 KO's).

"I feel great, I always knew I was going to win this fight," said Garcia, whose shot that connected with the base of Khan's neck instantly changed the fight that Khan had controlled from the opening bell.

The 25-year-old Khan, from Bolton, England, was intent to prove wrong the preflight claim by Angel Garcia, Danny's father and trainer, that the Pakistani can't fight. He came out swinging from the opening bell and controlled the first two rounds with his speed and precision.

But after the big shot by Garcia at the end of the third, Khan never recovered.

Garcia dropped him twice more in the fourth and forced referee Kenny Bayless to stop the fight at the 2-minute, 28-second mark as he continued to tee off on Khan.

"I needed a great fighter in front of me to show how good of a fighter I am," Garcia said. "Now everyone knows."

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