Danny Garcia’s Next Move Could Be A Welcoming Party At Middleweight!
It’s known that sanctioning bodies use their own “algorithms” to determine where fighters in each division should be ranked. In some cases, the algorithm is as simple as “how popular is this fighter”? This may be the case with two-division champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-3, 21KO) and the WBA!
Why are we picking on Garcia? Well, we aren’t necessarily picking on him but pointing out something odd involving him. Boxing heads who are familiar with the former champion understand he spent the majority of his fifteen-year career campaigning at junior welterweight (140lbs) and welterweight (147lbs). His move to junior middleweight (154lbs) just happened in July where he scored a majority decision over former top amateur fighter Jose Benavidez Jr. However, the WBA deemed it fit to rank Garcia #8 at middleweight (160lbs)!
RANKING ERROR OR LEGIT?
Could this be an error? Sure! However, it’s rare sanctioning bodies make these kinds of errors involving popular fighters. The WBA does have a history of “questionable” ranking, with one that was surprisingly shocking. In June 2015, the organization ranked junior flyweight Ali Raymi #11 after he passed away! The WBO also made a similar mistake in moving super middleweight Darrin Morris up two spots after he passed away a year prior!
As ridiculous as those errors are, it’s doubtful the WBA inadvertently ranked Garcia at middleweight. New junior welterweight arrivals, Teofimo Lopez and Ryan Garcia were both ranked in separate sanctioning bodies at the new weight prior to making their debuts there. This could be the situation for Swift. The ranking could actually be a foreshadowing of the former champion moving up in weight again.
If Swift does arrive at middleweight, it will definitely be for a big fight. Rumor has it, his target is WBA regular champion Erislandy Lara. If this is the case, there is good reason to believe Garcia could go after an aging WBA super champ Gennady Golovkin! The thought of these two match-ups eventually happening may warrant a pass being granted to the WBA for the questionable ranking.
By: EJ Williams
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