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

Brooklyn, NY – Former two-division world champion Danny "Swift" Garcia (37-4, 21 KOs) is set to conclude his 18-year professional boxing career on Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, a venue that has become synonymous with some of his most memorable fights. Garcia, 37, will face Daniel Gonzalez (22-4-1, 7 KOs), a 35-year-old junior middleweight from Queens, in a 10-round contest. This fight marks Garcia’s 42nd and final professional appearance. The event, promoted by Garcia’s Swift Promotions, will be broadcast as a pay-per-view on the streaming platform Millions.co.

Garcia’s decision to conclude his career at Barclays Center carries significant weight, as it was nearly 13 years ago, on October 20, 2012, that he headlined the venue’s inaugural boxing event. On that night, he secured a fourth-round knockout victory against Hall of Famer Erik Morales in their rematch. This final fight represents an opportunity for Garcia to both promote and participate in his own event, aiming to conclude his career on his own terms.

"Not many fighters can say they have a home where they can go back to and fight, but Brooklyn adopted me," Garcia said in a recent interview. "I have built a great legacy at the Barclays Center. This is my tenth 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."

Garcia’s record at Barclays Center stands at 7-2, a testament to his popularity and success in the borough. Notable victories at the venue include wins over Zab Judah, Lamont Peterson, and Paulie Malignaggi. He also experienced narrow defeats in two high-profile welterweight title bouts at Barclays Center: a split decision loss to Keith Thurman in 2017, a fight broadcast live on CBS between two undefeated champions, and a unanimous decision loss to Shawn Porter in 2018.

Over the past decade, Barclays Center has hosted numerous stars under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner, including Adrien Broner, Deontay Wilder, and Gervonta "Tank" Davis. However, Garcia’s appearances have consistently generated a unique atmosphere and excitement, marking him as a favorite among New York boxing fans.

"I definitely feel like the atmosphere is different when I fight there," Garcia said. "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."

Daniel Gonzalez enters the fight as a significant betting underdog. Since 2021, he holds a record of 2-2, and in 2019, he suffered a loss to former 140-pound titleholder Chris Algieri. Despite the odds, Gonzalez asserted at the pre-fight press conference that he intends to win and is prepared to end Garcia’s career with a knockout.

"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 has been marked by significant achievements, particularly his dominance at 140 pounds, where he established himself as the world’s top junior welterweight. He later transitioned to the welterweight division, competing against a formidable roster of elite fighters. In December 2020, he headlined a pay-per-view event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where he faced Errol Spence Jr., suffering a unanimous decision loss. He also suffered a TKO loss to Erislandy Lara in their 2024 middleweight title bout.

A defining aspect of Garcia’s career is his journey from being an underestimated contender to a recognized star. In the early stages of his professional career, he frequently embraced the underdog role. His breakthrough victories against Amir Khan in 2012 and Lucas Matthysse in 2013 significantly elevated his profile.

"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 said. "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."

Garcia’s final fight also marks the end of his long-standing partnership with his father and trainer, Angel Garcia. Angel Garcia has been a constant presence throughout Danny’s career, serving as his outspoken advocate, tactical advisor, and unwavering supporter. Their relationship has defied the often turbulent dynamics seen in boxing’s father-son partnerships.

"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."

Reflecting on his career, Garcia expressed gratitude for the opportunities he has had and the challenges he has overcome.

"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."

Garcia’s career highlights include:

Junior Welterweight Dominance: Garcia unified titles at 140 pounds, defeating Amir Khan for the WBA (Super) and The Ring titles and Lucas Matthysse for the WBC and The Ring titles.
Notable Victories: Wins over Erik Morales (twice), Amir Khan, Lucas Matthysse, Zab Judah, Lamont Peterson, and Paulie Malignaggi.
Championship Fights: Multiple world title fights across two weight divisions (junior welterweight and welterweight).
Main Event Status: Headlined numerous significant boxing events, including pay-per-view cards.

Gonzalez’s recent record includes a unanimous decision victory over Rickey Edwards in September 2023, and a TKO win against Jeffrey Torres in April 2024. His losses include a unanimous decision defeat to Shinard Bunch in 2021, and a TKO loss to Serhii Bohachuk in 2022.

The card will also feature undercard bouts including rising prospects and local fighters. The event will be available for purchase on Millions.co, marking Garcia’s venture into promoting and showcasing talent under his own banner.