Garcia stuns Khan, seizes WBA light welter crown
NEWPORT, Rhode Island—Jennifer Capriati’s tennis career—and her teenage life—took a number of twists and turns.
She started as a teenage prodigy, was later sidetracked with off-court troubles, rebounded to become a three-time GrandSlam champion and now, her journey is complete with her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Capriati, three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, 1975 US Open champ Manuel Orantes and two others were inducted into the Hall during a 90minute ceremony on Saturday.
In a tear-filled acceptance speech, the 36-year-old Capriati remembered her great moments in the game.
“I still managed to overcome some adver- sity, win a gold medal, win some Grand Slams and stand at the podium at the Hall of Fame,” Capriati said.
As a 14-year-old, she burst onto the scene and reached the semifinals at her first Grand Slam event, the 1990 French Open. Drug and other problems sidetracked her life and career. She also spent time in drug rehabilitation in 1994. LAS VEGAS—American Danny Garcia knocked out Britain’s Amir Khan in the fourth round to add the WBA light welterweight crown to his WBC super lightweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Khan, 26-3 (18 KOs), looked the superior fighter early on, showing vastly superior hand speed as he landed right hands behind a long jab and opened up a cut on Garcia’s eye with a left hook.
Garcia’s defense remained tight and effective, however, and in the third round began throwing thudding shots to Khan’s body and near the end of the round he landed a powerful counter left hook that dropped Khan hard on to his back.
The Briton struggled to his feet, but was on shaky legs as the bell rang.
Garcia dropped Khan again at the start of the fourth with a right hand and as he retreated, Garcia gave chase, launching huge punches as he did so.
A left hand put Khan down once more, and although he beat the count, referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight though the Briton thought the stoppage may have been premature.
“I was a little surprised the ref stopped it,” Khan said. “My mind was clear, and I thought my legs were okay. (But) it wasn’t my night. I respect Danny. He was countering very well against me.”