Former 2-weight champ Garcia: Promoting is the best thing for me [to do]

Former two-weight world champion Danny Garcia (37-2, 21KOs) has achieved a lot in the sport — world titles, prestige, fame and financial security for himself and his family.

Now, promoting is next.

Garcia, who has the names of Amir Khan, Lucas Matthysse, Erik Morales, Zab Judah, Paulie Malignaggi, Shawn Porter, Errol Spence Jr, Keith Thurman and Paulie Malignaggi on his resume, is only missing a handful of names on his record in which Garcia could easily say that he has fought the who’s who of the sport in between the weights of 140-154 lbs.

Now 35 years old, Garcia is transitioning from fighting in the ring to promoting those who step into it, having made his debut as a promoter at the famous Broadwalk Hall in Atlantic City — the same venue at which Garcia would make his professional debut in 2007.

Although Garcia has not officially confirmed his retirement from the sport as a fighter he has been inactive since July of 2022 following his win over Jose Benavidez. A proposed fight was supposed to take place against Erislandy Lara, who holds a version of the WBA middleweight title at a catchweight in 2023. However, delays have occurred and is now likely to happen in early 2024.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Garcia said that he holds ambitions of remaining within the sport on a full-time basis and believes moving along the route as a promoter is the best option for him.

“I always wanted to be a boxer,” Garcia said. “Now, I want to be more of a businessman. I always wanted to be like a manager or somebody to help put somebody on, so I think promotion is the best thing for me.”

DSG Promotions partnered with Joe Fraizer Jr., the son of legendary heavyweight Joe Fraizer, for the promotional debut of Garcia.

The two-weight world champion, moving forward, hopes to take the promotional bandwagon further afield, targeting the Latino demographic, believing that the proposed strategy will succeed. 

“This is the first one and I hope there’s many more to come. I would love to go back to Philadelphia, Florida, Connecticut. All the Spanish/Puerto Rican states where I know I can attack and be successful.”

Featuring on the card were some regional talents headlined by Dylan Price (17-0), who would negate past Gilberto Mendoza in a scheduled ten-rounder alongside Miguel Roman, Billy Briscoe, Saud Clark and American heavyweight gatekeeper Joey Dawejko. 

Before the event commenced, Garcia excitedly revealed the names above to be working with fighters he has known a long time throughout his career and discovering new talents from his native Pennsylvania.

“Dylan Price is undefeated. He wants to let the world know that he’s ready for the big leagues. Miguel Roman is 3-0, he’s young and hungry. Billy Briscoe and Saud Clark are two of my best friends. Joey Dawejko, I grew up with Joey. He’s hungry. He wants to knock on the next door. I feel like every fighter is hungry, and that’s why you’re gonna get a great night of fights.”