Danny Garcia Aims for Storybook Ending in Farewell Bout at Barclays Center

In the unforgiving realm of professional boxing, where careers often conclude with abrupt and unwelcome endings, former two-division world champion Danny "Swift" Garcia is endeavoring to script his own farewell narrative. On Saturday, Garcia (37-4, 21 KOs) will step into the ring for the 42nd and purportedly final contest of an 18-year career, seeking to simultaneously function as promoter, headliner, and victor. The setting for this ambitious undertaking is a venue that has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments of his career: the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Nearly 13 years ago, Garcia played a pivotal role in inaugurating the Barclays Center as a boxing venue, headlining its maiden event with a fourth-round knockout victory over Hall of Famer Erik Morales in their rematch. Now, at the age of 37, Garcia intends to conclude his professional fighting journey in a 10-round junior middleweight bout against Queens native Daniel Gonzalez (22-4-1, 7 KOs), a 35-year-old veteran of the sport. The fight card, presented as a pay-per-view event on the streaming platform Millions.co, is promoted by Garcia’s own Swift Promotions.

"Not many fighters can say they have a home where they can go back to and fight, but Brooklyn adopted me," Garcia stated in an interview with CBS Sports. "I have built a great legacy at the Barclays Center. This is my 10th fight there, and I always told everybody I want to go out like a boss. I want to go out promoting my own fight, having my own fighters on the undercard, and, obviously, going out with my hand raised."

The event presents Garcia with an opportunity to improve upon his 7-2 record at the Barclays Center, a venue where he has secured victories over notable opponents such as Zab Judah, Lamont Peterson, and Paulie Malignaggi. Garcia also experienced narrow defeats in two high-profile welterweight title bouts at the arena, against Keith Thurman in 2017 (a fight between undefeated champions broadcast live on CBS) and Shawn Porter in 2018.

While numerous prominent fighters associated with Premier Boxing Champions have headlined events at Barclays Center over the past decade, including Adrien Broner, Deontay Wilder, and Gervonta "Tank" Davis, Garcia’s presence has consistently generated a unique atmosphere and level of excitement.

"I definitely feel like the atmosphere is different when I fight there," Garcia acknowledged. "There is nothing like a Danny Garcia show at the Barclays Center. On [Saturday], I feel like it’s going to be another electrifying night for me and my fans."

Gonzalez enters the bout as a significant betting underdog, with a record of 2-2 since 2021. His resume also includes a 2019 defeat to former 140-pound titleholder Chris Algieri. Despite the unfavorable odds, Gonzalez asserted at the pre-fight press conference that he intends to win and deliver a knockout blow that sends Garcia into retirement.

"One thing I learned, you can never out talk a New Yorker. They are the best talkers in the world," Garcia responded. "[Gonzalez] is going to do what he has to do to sell the fights, but he has never been in there with anyone like Danny Garcia. Once he starts feeling the punches and seeing what I bring to the table, I think his whole mindset is going to change. I know he’s coming to fight, but I’m preparing for whatever he brings to the table. I’m going to get this knockout."

Garcia’s career includes a recent loss by stoppage to Erislandy Lara in a 2024 middleweight title bout. Garcia initially rose to prominence at 140 pounds, where he established himself as one of the division’s leading fighters. He later transitioned to the welterweight division, where he faced a series of elite opponents, including headlining a 2020 pay-per-view event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where he suffered a defeat to then-undefeated Errol Spence Jr.

A defining aspect of Garcia’s legacy is his journey from a relatively unheralded prospect to a fighter whose accomplishments warrant consideration for Hall of Fame inclusion. Garcia often embraced the underdog role in his most significant fights at 140 pounds, securing breakthrough victories against Amir Khan in 2012 and Lucas Matthysse in 2013, which solidified his status as a star.

"I feel like, in my heart, I was never the underdog because in the amateurs, when I won the U.S. championship in 2006, you couldn’t hand pick [opponents]," Garcia explained. "In the amateurs, you have to fight the best every single day, and I was No. 1 in the amateurs. For some reason, when I turned into the pros, I guess I went under the radar. I wasn’t hyped.

"When I came out and I beat Morales, Khan, and Matthysse, everybody said, ‘Where the hell did this kid come from?’ I just didn’t get that superstar push from the beginning, I had to earn it. And I think that’s why I got the underdog look. I fought everybody they put in front of me because I thought I was better and I knew I could beat them. That’s just what I was taught."

The final bout of Garcia’s career also marks the conclusion of his in-ring partnership with his father and lifelong trainer, Angel Garcia. Whether serving as Garcia’s outspoken advocate, chief strategist in the corner, or unwavering source of support, the Garcias have exemplified a positive and enduring father-son relationship in the often turbulent world of boxing.

"I’m very proud of him. We started this journey together, we are going to finish together," Garcia said about his father. "I saw my dad lose his jobs, he almost lost his marriage, and he almost lost his life to cancer. He had a stroke. I have seen him go through everything, and no matter what happened in his life, he always showed up to the gym because he loved it. He sacrificed a lot to be here, we both did, and I’m very proud of him.

"I feel like I had a hell of a career. I thank my father, Angel Garcia, for being on my side. I thank Al Haymon for getting me all those big fights. I fought 14 world champions, 10 fights at the Barclays Center. I feel like I put a lot of work in and I fought nothing but the best. That’s what boxing is all about. I won some and I lost some, but at the end of the day, I’m still standing."

Daniel Gonzalez, Garcia’s opponent, has faced a mixed bag of results in recent years. After a period of inactivity, he returned to the ring in 2021 with a victory over Evincii Dixon. He followed that with a win against Juan Barajas in 2022. However, he suffered a setback later that year with a loss to Pablo Cesar Cano. His most recent fight was a draw against Jeffrey Torres in 2023. Gonzalez’s record indicates a fighter who is durable but lacks significant knockout power, with only 7 of his 22 victories coming by way of knockout. His most notable loss came against Chris Algieri in 2019.

Garcia’s career has been defined by his willingness to face top-tier opposition. His resume includes victories over numerous former world champions and top contenders, including Amir Khan, Lucas Matthysse, Erik Morales, Zab Judah, Paulie Malignaggi, and Lamont Peterson. He has also faced some of the biggest names in the sport, including Errol Spence Jr., Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, and Erislandy Lara. While he has suffered losses in some of those fights, he has consistently proven himself to be a tough and competitive opponent.

Garcia’s decision to promote his own final fight card is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and his desire to control his own destiny. It also provides him with an opportunity to showcase other talented fighters on the undercard. The event is being streamed on Millions.co, a relatively new platform in the boxing world, which gives Garcia the opportunity to reach a wider audience.

The fight against Gonzalez is scheduled for 10 rounds at the junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds. Garcia has fought at this weight before, most recently in his loss to Erislandy Lara. Gonzalez has also fought at junior middleweight on several occasions. The fight is expected to be a competitive affair, with Garcia likely looking to use his superior boxing skills and power to secure a victory. Gonzalez, on the other hand, will likely look to use his size and strength to try to wear Garcia down.

The Barclays Center has been a special place for Garcia throughout his career. He has fought there numerous times and has always drawn a large and enthusiastic crowd. His fights at the arena have often been memorable and have helped to solidify his status as one of the most popular fighters in the sport. He will look to add another chapter to his Barclays Center legacy on Saturday night.

Garcia’s father, Angel Garcia, has been a constant presence in his corner throughout his career. He has been his trainer, his confidant, and his biggest supporter. The two have a close and enduring relationship, and their partnership has been a key factor in Garcia’s success. Angel Garcia is known for his outspoken personality and his unwavering belief in his son. He is sure to be a vocal presence in the corner on Saturday night, providing encouragement and guidance to his son.

The fight against Gonzalez represents the culmination of a long and successful career for Danny Garcia. He has achieved great things in the sport of boxing and has earned the respect of his peers and his fans. He will be looking to go out on top with a victory in his final fight. Whether he wins or loses, he can be proud of all that he has accomplished. His legacy as one of the most exciting and accomplished fighters of his era is secure.