This Saturday night at the fights...

Sub Lead11-Nov-16by John J. Raspanti

By John J. Raspanti

DANNY GARCIA VS ROBERT GUERRERO2

Danny Garcia’s nickname of “Swift” has always baffled me.

Swift means speedy and rapid.

Fighters like Gary Russell Jr., Guillermo Rigondeaux, Jorge Linares, Amir Khan,

Vasyl Lomachenko, and even an aged Manny Pacquiao, are swift.

But Danny Garcia?

Garcia has his own rhythm for sure, but it’s not particularly fast. He’s more consistent, like the hum of a freeway. In other words, he’s more Toyota than Maserati.

But you know what? All Danny Garcia does is win. He’s undefeated in 32 fights, with 18 knockouts. He’s a two-division champion, currently holding the WBC welterweight strap.

Garcia was last seen in the ring winning a tough 12-round decision over past-his-prime Robert Guerrero last January. Some critics complain that he hasn’t fought the top guys in his division, although he scored victories over contender Lucas Matthysse, and former champions Khan and Lamont Peterson.

Saturday night’s fight against Samuel Vargas won’t pacify many. It’s basically a tune-up bout for Garcia’s highly anticipated match with WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman early next year.

Garcia is going home, to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, PA. to fight for the first time in six years. The goal is a dominating knockout.

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He might get it.

Vargas was iced by the promising Errol Spence last year. Spence has knocked out his last eight opponents. The young man is a puncher.

Can Garcia match Spence?

Possibly.

But one thing is certain.

He’ll win.

Also fighting will be Omar Douglas (17-0, 12 KOs) against former junior lightweight champion Javier Fortuna (30-1-1, 22 KOs) along with undefeated junior middleweight Jarrett Hurd (18-0, 12 KOs) who meets Jorge Cota (25-1, 22 KOs).

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On HBO, Luis Ortiz (25-0, 22 KOs) and Malik Scott (38-2-13 KOs) meet in a 12-round heavyweight affair taking place in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Ortiz, last seen dispatching Tony Thompson eight months ago, is itching for a title shot.

He’s a talented southpaw, with power in both hands. The six-foot-four, 250 pound Ortiz has stopped his last four opponents, including contender Bryant Jennings last year.

At least his nickname “King Kong” makes sense.

Look for him to send Scott packing before Round five.