Results and highlights from Showtime Boxing: After nearly two years apart, Danny Garcia performs better than Jose Benavidez Jr.

BOXING NEWS

After a 20-month hiatus, an introspective Danny Garcia made his 154-pound debut on Saturday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center by outboxing Jose Benavidez Jr.

Garcia (37-3, 21 KO) hadn’t competed since December 2020, but he didn’t exhibit much rust as he outboxed Benavidez from the beginning of the fight. Benavidez (27-2-1, 18 KO) was able to hold on for the entire 12 rounds of the fight, but he only had a few successful moments.

Garcia demonstrated his super welterweight skills and physical fitness in a match that was not particularly exciting, despite the fact that he may be a bit undersized in comparison to many of the finest fighters in the division.

It appeared that Garcia would win by unanimous decision following the 12 rounds of competition. As ringside judge Waleska Roldan ultimately scored the contest 114-114, Garcia was forced to accept a majority decision. Glenn Feldman (116-112) and Tony Paolillo’s cards prevailed over Roldan (117-111).

Garcia talked about taking a sabbatical from fighting after the fight, explaining that he wanted to take care of his mental health.

Garcia admitted that he still has days where he struggles with his mental health. “Even now, I occasionally have bad days, but I try to be optimistic. Now I feel great. My father accompanied me the entire time. Without him, I am nothing. He is the reason I am here.”