Garcia, Rios set for WBC welterweight title elimination bout

LAS VEGAS — Former two-division world champion Danny Garcia is returning to the ring Saturday night against former world champion Brandon Rios in a WBC welterweight world title elimination bout.

Garcia (33-1, 19 KOs) and Rios (34-3-1, 25 KOs) are looking to get back on top of one of boxing’s deepest weight classes, the 147pound welterweight division. The winner at Mandalay Bay Events Center will be in worldtitle contention with unified champion Keith Thurman, the holder of the WBC and WBA belts.

Garcia last fought in March, losing the WBC title in a unification fight with Thurman.

“More than anything, I just felt like I needed the rest,” Garcia said about the layoff. “It wasn’t about the hunger because I’ve always had passion for the sport. I love boxing. I love the competition.”

Garcia, who was reigning world champion for six years dating to his win over Hall of Famer Erik Morales in 2012 through March 2017, also holds victories over current WBA welterweight world champion Lucas Matthysse and unified light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan.

“It’s great to be back here in Vegas,” said Garcia, who was a unified world champion at super lightweight and welterweight. “This is a big-fight atmosphere and it just motivates me. I’m 29 years old and in the prime of my career. It starts now. I’m ready to get back on track.”

The Philadelphia fighter Garcia faces a tough former lightweight champion in Rios, who is training for the fight with renowned trainer Robert Garcia in Southern California. Like Garcia, Rios has fought many of the top welterweights of this era, including world champions Timothy Bradley and Manny Pacquiao.Rios is one of boxing’s most aggressive, come-forward fighters.

“Danny’s a strong fighter and he has power in both hands,” Rios said. “He’s a great counter-puncher. One thing I like is he doesn’t move or run. He likes to bang it out, and that suits my style better. But if he does run, we’ll be ready for that too.” AP