Thursday 19 January 2017 12:54, UK
Keith Thurman took a swipe at Danny Garcia’s father after an unnecessary outburst caused a scene at the press conference to officially announce their welterweight unification fight.
Thurman (27-0-KO22), the current WBA 'super' champion will face WBC titlist Garcia (33-0-KO19) at the Barclays Center, New York on March 4.
It was Garcia's father who caused a stir when interrupting and marching towards Thurman with an outspoken and unnecessary foul-mouthed tirade that caused security to intervene.
Despite Florida's Thurman, nicknamed 'One Time', keeping his cool ahead of what he called an "all-action and exciting fight", the 28-year-old took a moment to respond to Angel Garcia, the often outspoken father and trainer of the unbeaten WBC champion.
He said: "I'm blessed to get this fight because I've been asking for it. I'm looking forward to it. We're working hard down in Florida.
"This fight is going to have action. There's too much on the line. I remember Danny from the amateurs. I applaud him for everything he's done in this career. He signed the wrong contract though, because Keith Thurman's got this. Danny Garcia, you're getting knocked out.
"At the end of the day it's your actions that speak louder than words. Angel [Garcia] will talk to try to get people off of their game. Danny is an elite fighter, and he can talk for himself. These father trainers seem to like the limelight as much as the fighter, if not more. At the end of the day, I'm only fighting Danny Garcia.
"Danny Garcia has some power. He has enough, even compared to me. But if you look at a lot of his fights, he knocked guys down. But they got back up. There is a difference between knockdown and knockout power.
"He's dangerous but we believe I'm more dangerous. He hasn't fought a true welterweight with punching power. I believe I'll be the last man standing and the true champion on March 4."
Garcia, 28, had different ideas and is relishing once again being given the underdog tag in a championship bout.
He said: "This is nothing new to me. I've been the underdog in a unification fight before. At the end of the day, Angel and I, we're going to come out with a great game plan and get the victory. I will have my hand raised at the end of the night.
"I just had to tell Keith to be careful what he wished for. He wanted this fight, but now that he's got it, you have to deal with me.
"I'm going to take this one round at a time to get the victory. If the knockout comes, it comes. I'm not going out of my element. I'm going to do what I do best.
"I just want to make sure I'm mentally and physically ready. If I'm ready, nobody can stop me. We're going to do what we always do. Put the hard work in, talk a little trash and back it up."
