Boxing: Khan vs Garcia Preview

Change of scenery. Whilst the different types of football on either side of the pond are in their respective off-seasons, I'd thought I would cover a little bit of boxing.

It's just over a week away until the bout for the WBA and WBC Light Welterweight titles takes place between British boxer Amir Khan and American boxer Danny Garcia, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. 

Khan, with a record of 26 wins and two losses with 18 KOs, will hope to put aside all the drama from his previous fight against American boxer Lamont Peterson, and prove his worth in the ring by re-obtaining the WBA Light Welterweight title against Garcia. 

Khan originally lost the WBA Light Welterweight title against Peterson but after it was found that Peterson was tested positive for banned substances in the pre-fight drug test, he was stripped of this title. The vacant belt will be awarded to the winner of the fight between Khan and Garcia.

Garcia will be a tough opponent for Khan, as he has never lost a fight professionally. He has 23 wins and 14 KOs and is the current holder of the WBC Light Welterweight title, which will also be on the line in this fight.

Both of these boxers are very similar, with only a few differences. Both box with Orthadox stances and Khan, standing at 5ft 10", is only an inch taller than Garcia, standing at 5ft 9". Khan also has a longer reach than Garcia with 71 inches to Garcia's 69 inches. 

A win for Garcia will extend his undefeated streak as a professional to 24 wins. However, a win for Khan will allow him to prove his ability to fight against the likes of Floyd Mayweather, as he expressed his desire in a pre-fight press conference on the 4th June, to move up to the 147lb division if he successfully defeated Garcia. 

In the same press conference, things got heated between Khan and Garcia's father. This resulted in both boxers promising to knock the other out on the 14th July. 

With both boxers showing a clear desire as to why they want to win this fight, this is a fight that can't be missed. Due to this desire and passion by both boxers, I think this fight is going to go down to a decision unless either boxer makes a careless mistake in the ring.

On paper, it may look like Khan could just edge it will extra height and reach, but no one should underestimate the drive and determination of Garcia to continue his winning streak. 

Amir Khan (left) & Danny Garcia (right)

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