On September 14, 2024, Erislandy Lara, the 41-year-old Cuban boxer, successfully defended his WBA middleweight title against Danny Garcia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout was part of the co-main event of the evening, with Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga being the headliner. Lara, known for his technical mastery and defensive skills, secured a stoppage victory after Garcia’s corner called it quits following the ninth round.
This fight marked Danny Garcia's return to the ring after more than two years. A former champion in the super lightweight and welterweight divisions, Garcia aimed to claim a title in his third weight class but faced difficulties against Lara’s experience and precision.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
Erislandy Lara vs. Danny Garcia went nine rounds before Garcia's corner, led by his father Angel Garcia, decided to stop the fight. Below is a detailed round-by-round breakdown of the fight:
| Round |
Details |
| 1 |
Lara started cautiously, utilizing his signature jab and movement to establish control. Garcia applied pressure but struggled to land clean punches. |
| 2 |
Garcia tried to close the distance but found it difficult to penetrate Lara’s defense. Lara’s precise counterpunching kept him in control. |
| 3 |
Both fighters exchanged sporadic shots. Garcia increased his aggression, but Lara’s sharp footwork made it difficult for Garcia to land significant blows. |
| 4 |
Garcia continued to apply pressure, but Lara maintained his composure, landing more accurate jabs and counters. The round saw more exchanges, but Lara's defense remained solid. |
| 5 |
Garcia found some success with body shots, but Lara remained elusive, continuing to score with jabs and keeping the fight at his preferred range. |
| 6 |
Garcia became visibly frustrated as Lara's movement continued to stymie his offensive efforts. Lara began landing more combinations. |
| 7 |
The pace of the fight slowed slightly, with Lara controlling the ring and frustrating Garcia. The Cuban continued to land clean counters as Garcia missed several punches. |
| 8 |
Garcia attempted to make a comeback, but Lara’s superior technique and accuracy were evident. Garcia took more punishment in this round as Lara began to find his rhythm. |
| 9 |
Lara dominated the round, and near its conclusion, he dropped Garcia with a perfectly timed left hand. Although Garcia managed to get up, his corner decided to stop the fight before the start of the tenth round. |
Fight Highlights
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Lara’s Dominance: From the opening bell, Erislandy Lara controlled the tempo of the fight with his jab, footwork, and defense. At 41, Lara showcased his experience by avoiding Garcia’s punches while delivering precise counterattacks.
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Garcia’s Struggles: Danny Garcia, making his middleweight debut, was unable to solve the puzzle that was Lara. He consistently struggled to close the distance and land meaningful punches. Lara’s defensive brilliance neutralized most of Garcia's offense.
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The Knockdown: In the ninth round, Lara delivered a clean left hand that sent Garcia to the canvas for the first time in his professional career. Although Garcia rose to his feet, his father and trainer, Angel Garcia, stopped the fight to prevent further punishment.
What’s Next for Erislandy Lara?
With this victory, Erislandy Lara remains the WBA middleweight champion and one of the most respected names in the division. At 41 years old, Lara continues to defy age and stay at the top of his game. His precise boxing skills, defensive acumen, and ring generalship have allowed him to remain a force in the middleweight division.
Danny Garcia’s Future
For Danny Garcia, this fight might signal the end of an illustrious career. Having been a champion in two different weight classes, Garcia’s attempt to claim a title in a third division fell short. His father’s decision to stop the fight showed concern for his well-being, and while Garcia has not yet announced retirement, this could be a turning point for the Philadelphia-born fighter.
Conclusion
The fight was a showcase of Erislandy Lara’s technical brilliance and ring experience. Danny Garcia’s return to the ring was met with a tough challenge, and despite his efforts, Lara's experience proved too much to overcome. This fight highlights the difficulty of moving up in weight classes, even for seasoned champions like Garcia.
Lara’s win solidifies his legacy as one of the best boxers of his era, while Garcia must now consider his future in the sport.
Fight Summary
- Event: Erislandy Lara vs. Danny Garcia
- Date: September 14, 2024
- Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
- Result: Erislandy Lara wins via corner stoppage (RTD) after Round 9.
- Titles at Stake: WBA Middleweight Title
This fight will likely be remembered for Lara’s clinical performance and Garcia’s corner’s compassionate decision to stop the bout.
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