CBS might want to get its censor button handy now that it has announced it will televise the March 4 welterweight unification bout between Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia at Barclays Center. Or at least keep the microphones away from Angel Garcia, Garcia’s father and trainer.
The elder Garcia was in rare profane and vulgar form during a press conference Wednesday at Barclays Center to formally announce the much-anticipated fight. While the two unbeaten belt-holders were professional and respectful, Angel Garcia used his time at the microphone to hurl insults, racial slurs and an endless stream of unprovoked profanities toward Thurman. When Thurman’s camp responded, a melee nearly broke out before security rushed in to separate the camps.
Trash-talking is common in boxing and sometimes expected to sell a fight. But Garcia was over the top, leaving a bad taste to what is an important fight to the boxing industry.
“I think it’s bad for his son and it takes away the ability for Danny to speak,” Thurman said. “It seems these father-trainers love the limelight as much as the fighter and sometimes more.”
Danny Garcia defended his father.
“People like drama,” he said. “This is what they like to see. So this is what we’ve got to bring. This is what makes a big fight.”
This fight doesn’t need the artificial hype. Boxing couldn’t ask for a better matchup to be shown on broadcast television to a potential 6 million viewers. Thurman, of Clearwater, Fla., holds the WBA welterweight title. He is 27-0 with 22 knockouts. Garcia, of Philadelphia, is the WBC champion. He is unbeaten in 33 fights with 19 KOs. Tickets, the majority of them priced between $49 and $150, are on sale.
“This is a fight of huge significance,” said Lou DiBella, whose DiBella Entertainment will promote the card. “It’s the best our sport can offer.”
Boxing is looking to have a big year in 2017 and reverse the trend of declining ratings and interest. The terrific card televised by Showtime last Saturday from Barclays Center, in which super middleweights James DeGale and Badou Jack fought to a draw in a unification bout, was a good start. Thurman-Garcia is expected to continue the momentum. Being televised on CBS will give the fighters and the sport much-needed national exposure.
But Angel Garcia’s antics Wednesday fed into all the ugly stereotypes about boxing and served as a reminder why broadcast networks such as CBS and many fans are turned off by boxing.
“At the end of the day your words are only your words,” Thurman said. “Your actions are always going to speak louder than your words. March 4 it will be our fists and what we do in this arena, that’s where we make our statement.”
Irish Olympic star Michael Conlan announced he will make his pro debut March 17 at the Madison Square Garden Theater.
Conlan is the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, but is perhaps better known for giving the judges a middle finger salute in Rio de Janeiro after losing a decision in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight division. UFC star Conor McGregor is expected to walk Conlan into the ring for the St. Patrick’s Day bout, promoted by Top Rank.