Garcia vs Porter: The Fight City Picks

As one of our contributors discussed not that long ago, the current version of the welterweight division has all the necessary ingredients to give boxing fans plenty of awesome fights. To quote Sean Crose: “Make no mistake about it, welterweight may still contain the brightest lights in all of boxing. Don’t believe it? Let’s keep in mind that Errol Spence is a welterweight titlist and Keith Thurman, despite appearances, is still in the mix. And don’t forget Bud Crawford … If that’s not enough, there’s names like Jeff Horn and Shawn Porter and, yes, even Manny Pacquiao.”

Alas, the division that, in decades past, has been a hotbed of great fights, intense rivalries and memorable excitement, just hasn’t delivered of late. But now, finally, one of the better match-ups available is happening. This coming Saturday, two of the top talents in the division, Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia, will do battle, the winner presumably then in line for an even bigger showdown with Thurman or Spence. It’s a high-stakes battle with major implications so without further ado, here’s our picks for Garcia vs Porter, a match which, we hope, signals the start of a series of consequential battles in an underachieving welterweight division.

You might think Porter’s style would be a dream match for Garcia’s left hook but I suspect “Showtime” can withstand Garcia’s best punch and outwork the Philadelphian. Porter by decision. — Jeff Fuss

Each year Al Haymon’s PBC allows us to watch exactly ONE quality matchup at welterweight and this year’s contest is Garcia vs Porter. It’s an interesting style matchup because Garcia tends to start out slowly and his inside game isn’t the greatest. Meanwhile, Porter loves to come forward and force the fight, but his style is so awkward that he often forgets where he’s standing and which punches to throw. So I have no idea what to expect. Will Porter’s awkward pressure bother Danny? It’s possible. Will Garcia maintain the right distance to score with his power punches? Maybe. Will the winner sit idly on the shelf for months while hoping Errol Spence Jr. moves up to 154? I’d bet my last dollar on it. Guess I’m calling this fight a draw, one that Mauro Ranallo enjoys way more than warranted.      — Rafael Garcia 

In the last few years both Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter have suffered from the inactivity that seems to plague much of the Premier Boxing Champions stable. In two years they have five fights between them, and both have a loss to Keith Thurman. Beyond that, it’s difficult to pick much between them. Both have faltered at slightly higher levels and are probably a step below the very top, both resting on about the same echelon as the other. Garcia has the edge in punching power, when he uses it, though it could be easily negated by a good chin and better tenacity on Porter’s side. It could come down to who wants it more and who pushes harder. That’s generally Porter, and he’s in with an opponent who often gives in when pushed. Porter by close decision.     — Patrick Connor

This is close to a 50-50 fight when it comes to talent, but I think Porter might suffer from his last few outings which were, overall, tougher than Garcia’s. Porter fought Thurman, Berto, Broner, and Granados; Garcia also fought Thurman, but then Brandon Rios and Samuel Vargas, neither of whom tested him. So I’d say Garcia is fresher, and then I’ll also admit to a little hometown bias on this one. Garcia, the man from Philly, by decision.        — Joshua Isard 

Danny is a clever boxer with sound fundamentals, but I think Porter will be too strong and busy for him. Porter by decision.       — Lee Wylie 

Both men are 30 years of age, but Porter is an old 30 after all those gym wars with Manny Pacquiao and so many hard, taxing distance fights. Garcia by TKO.    — Neil Crane 

I can’t think about Danny Garcia without also thinking about Mauricio Herrera and how Garcia got a total gift win in their fight back in 2014. It will always bother me that Garcia didn’t man-up and give Herrera the rematch he deserved so I really hope Porter kicks his ass. I feel bad for Porter as he’s trapped in the PBC stable, itching to compete and take on the best, but has to settle for getting in the ring once a year. He deserves this chance and hopefully he gets at least a couple more big fights. So I want Porter to win, but do I think he will? You’re damn right I do. An inspired Porter outworks Garcia late to seize the momentum and finish strong. Porter by decision.      — Robert Portis 

The fight will mirror the personalities and styles of the combatants, one very much the finesse boxer, the other having only one gear in his car, forward. Expect, therefore, a battle, all action bell to bell. Porter is the stronger infighter; Garcia is the better boxer. Both have taken Keith “One-Time” Thurman the distance and as Thurman has avoided giving both these fighters rematches, it is pure poetic justice that this is for Thurman’s vacated WBC title. Either could land a lucky KO shot, but neither are genuine knockout punchers, as compared to Bud Crawford, the new gunslinger in 147 town with those .357 magnums in both gloves. Both men have great beards, having withstood Thurman’s best shots. This will be the toreador fighting the bull. The toreador always wins in the bullring. No different here: Garcia by decision.    –Ralph Semien

Styles make fights and Garcia does not handle pressure well and is not a fast starter. Porter takes this due to his relentless attacking style and body work. Porter by split decision. — Christopher Connor 

This is an interesting match-up. Garcia has been the beneficiary of some generous scorecards in the past and Porter has not always had the best of luck with the judges. I expect an entertaining battle with Garcia largely staying on the outside. Predictably, Porter will look to push the pace while Garcia prefers a more tactical approach and will look to counter-punch. Porter will actually land more shots, but Garcia will score the ones the judges notice and he will win by close, controversial decision.        — Thad Moore

I think I’ve got to go with Porter here. He’s simply too active in between bells. Garcia could certainly prove durable and a better puncher, a la Brook, but I don’t think he’ll do enough to keep Porter from a points win.      — Sean Crose

Danny Garcia does much cleaner and sharper work, but Porter has a marauding, high-tempo style and tends to make guys fight his fight. It makes for an interesting contest; if it’s not 50/50, it’s pretty damn close. I give Garcia the edge due to his superior boxing brain. Porter’s aggression will present plenty of counter-punching opportunities for him to exploit, and DSG hits with enough authority to, if not deter Porter completely, at least stop him in his tracks a few times. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s a rough, clinch-ridden fight marred by fouls and docked points, particularly as it goes down the stretch, but Danny’s eye-catching work and Porter’s tendency to stifle himself will lead to a points win for Garcia.       — Ronnie McCluskey

Porter by unanimous decision. He’s going to do what he always does and make it a rough and tumble affair. I don’t think Danny can keep him off for long enough stretches, nor does he have the necessary in-fighting skills to deal with Porter’s swarming style. Porter gets it done!      — Jamie Rebner 

This fight should really matter, but its approach feels beyond anticlimactic. Garcia and Porter ought to have fought each other two years ago, but PBC/Al Haymon grievances aside, this is actually a good match-up on paper and a high-stakes fight. The winner gets another run at the elite level, while the loser will probably slide into irrelevance following a typical nine to twelve month layoff. Anyway, if Porter weren’t so crude, he’d be able to mug Garcia for 12 rounds. Problem is, Garcia is a better technician, knows how to punch with opponents, and packs enough pop to keep Porter honest. Porter will try to swarm, but Garcia, after early struggles, will find his range and cruise down the back stretch to a decision win.           — Zachary Alapi 

The styles should blend really well here to make for an entertaining fight. I like Porter’s attitude and his aggressive style a lot, but I think Garcia’s more measured approach could pay dividends here. Porter still seems to smother his work a bit too much, and we saw Brook, Thurman and even Broner had some success against him by throwing more precise punches. I see Porter’s strength and work rate ensuring he’s competitive throughout, but Garcia’s more compact boxing and accurate counter punches will catch the judges’ eyes. I’m going for the man the haters love to hate: ‘Swift’ Garcia on points.       — Matt O’Brien 

Garcia has always done well against guys who take the fight to him, as he showed against a prime Lucas Matthysse, Zab Judah, and Lamont Peterson. Thurman was able to gain a technical advantage by forcing Danny to come forward, against his normal counter-punching preference. But make no mistake about it, Porter will be bringing the fight to Garcia straight away, and I believe this will open up opportunities for Garcia to score.

However, the big question here is how Garcia handles Porter’s pressure down the stretch. Despite emerging victorious against Judah and Peterson, Garcia showed signs of fatigue in the late rounds and had to hold on to win. Porter brings much more intensity to the ring than Peterson and Judah, in addition to being much stronger, so I believe Garcia has to keep his distance from Porter and prevent “Showtime” from being too physical. I think Garcia has more tools to get the job done, but it can go either way. Leaning towards Garcia though.       — Alden Chodash

Not a lot separating these two, so I have to go by recent performances and, to me, Porter looked more than a little ragged against Granados last November. It’s possible the long layoff may help him, but I get the impression he’s losing some of his intensity and stamina after a number of grueling rumbles. Garcia has the edge in power and has shown a knack for finding the right timing and space to land big shots, which I expect will inhibit “Showtime.” Garcia by decision.      — Michael Carbert