The Manila Times

GARCIA, THURMAN SEEK STARDOM IN UNIFICATIO­N FIGHT

- AFP

NEW YORK: Unbeaten rival world welterweig­ht title-holders Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia each vowed to grab the global spotlight that once shined on Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao by winning their uni New York.

The March 4 matchup of US Center will be only the third uni welterweig­ht champions, the

man at 147 ( pounds, 66.7kg) and whoever has been the man at 147 lately with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Thurman said.

- ing to get a little of that spotlight priority. They are going to step spotlight is going to be on them a little more. I’m looking forward to making history at 147 and holding down this weight class

champion Thurman, 27-0 with Council champion Garcia, 33-0 the welterweig­ht division, long the domain of Mayweather, Keith Thurman in 2015.

“If I win this, I’ll be the face of

with two drawn and 38 knock - ganization welterweig­ht throne, but the 38- year- old southpaw’s

Britain’s Kell Brook, 36-1 with 25 knockouts, owns the In- welterweig­ht title. Brook will defend the crown for a fourth time in May against unbeaten American Errol Spence (21-0, 18 knockouts).

- portunity to showcase his skills “Errol has the opportunit­y to make a big statement. I’m just Danny Garcia

Brook, 30, suffered his first loss last September, stopped by undisputed middleweig­ht champion Gennady Golovkin after jumping up two weight classes for the bout.

Brook-Spence bout set the stage for delivering an undisputed welterweig­ht champion, something the division has not seen since Zab Judah held three of the four belts in 2006.

“I know ( Spence) wants to bring the belt back home. I know he wants to face the winner of our

“Through a few more eliminatio­ns, hopefully we’ll have an undisputed welterweig­ht champion of the world, something we haven’t had in a long time. I think the

‘He wasn’t being racist’

a news conference when Garcia’s father and trainer, Angel Garcia, screamed racial insults at Thurman, who moved towards the elder Garcia before security personnel intervened.

“I’ve seen worse things happen at press conference­s before. Nobody got hurt. It’s freedom of speech in from the inner city of Philadelph­ia. -

- sonal, Garcia said: “We don’t go in

- is more amateur for me. This is a kids. We’re like two pit bulls. We were bred for this at a young age.

“I believe I’m something Danny has never faced before. I have to “We’ve done out homework and we’re confident we’re going - nitely feel I’m at my strongest

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