Garcia upsets Amir Khan to claim WBA title
American Garcia knocked Khan down three times with the end coming with 32 seconds left in the fourth round when referee Kenny Bayless stopped the bout.
Garcia, who already had the WBC title, now has 24 wins and no losses. Garcia, of Philadelphia, kept his perfect record intact by surviving the first two rounds before using a perfectly-timed left hook late in the third round that caught Khan flush on the right ear.
Khan, of Great Britain, suffered just the third loss of his career.
He managed to get up from the third-round knockdown and barely finished the round but he never fully recovered from that devastating left hook to the side of the head.
Khan (26-3, 18 KOs) got knocked down twice more in the fourth round which had turned into a slugfest with both fighters trading heavy shots in the center of the ring.
The second knockdown came when Garcia’s punch glanced off the top of Khan’s head, leading to an eight count.
Garcia (24-0, 15 KOs) got the better of the exchanges in the fourth, hitting Khan consistently with left hooks and counter shots, finishing him off with a straight right hand that sent Khan stumbling across the ring.
When Bayless stepped in to stop the fight, the 25-year-old Khan protested and tried to duck under the referee’s arm. This was Khan’s eighth title fight.
Garcia, 24, was coming off a 12-round unanimous decision over Erik Morales four months ago.
COMMENTS (30)
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@ Maestro are you joking bruv? thats what his problem hes surrounded by people like you who tell him how great he is instead of pointing out his weaknesses. average boxer but a good fighter, showed heart for standing up again and again even though that left hook was a fluke but then again that just rocked his senses
Khan didnt do his homework and he faced severe miscalculations. Its never wise to challenge someone during the press conference. He under estimated Garcia and got over confident about himself.
@antony: you are so true. In fact many Pakistanis may be thinking that Khan lost because he didn't saw the mandatory "Inshallah" after saying that he will knock out Garcia.
Khan isn't modest and likes to be a showman (hence ‘King Khan’). It’s a shame that he was riled by pre-match comments made by Garcia’s father and fought in an overly aggressive style and ultimately played into Garcia’s plan by making a mistake which Garcia fully exploited. I’m afraid the future is not looking too bright for Khan; his publicly expressed dreams of fighting Mayweather are definitely over and his ‘greatness’ now in doubt after two knockouts.
Khan didn't read the script well and paid the price. After a strong start, he was floored In a third by counter and couldn't recover from shots in round four. I think he got little complacent and Garcia took advantage. It wasn't his night. He was charging with his hands down the mistake committed with the competitor whose signature move is left. Anyhow lesson learnt. Best of luck for future fights.
No doubt amir vil make a cum back and shut the blanks of all speaking against him
Khan didn't read the script well. Khan made few mistakes and paid the price. After a strong start, he was floored in a third by a counter and couldn't recover from shots in round four. He was charging in with hands down, the biggest mistake against the one whose signature move is left. Don't worry lesson learnt. Best of luck. He'll be loved forever.
I think Khan was complacent. Having said that, he needs to work on his footwork and balance first and do something about his glass chin. Morales took those Garcia punches for 12 rounds and did not flinch and Khan could not survive one. He needs to do better if he is to move a scale and fight in Welterweight.
winning and losing is part and parcel of a game,however more important thing is to maintain calmness in both the situations.Amir has got talent,but going by his statements issued earlier against his opponent ,seems he has to eat humble pie.better luck next time
The problem with us is that we have so few big name sports that few we have ,we build them so much they believe the hype,2 such people are Amir Khan and Sania Mirza,both have come down with a thud.If Garcia fights Mayweather,Mayweather would most surely win,khan has no chance,he has glass jaw,one good hit,and he saw dancing stars,that's it.
Lots of ignorant ppl commenting on the issue who hardly follow boxing or Amir Khan.
Amir is a great fighter. He works had and focuses on his play unlike other fighters. He was too aggressive and a blind shot from Garcia won the latter the fight. Garcia is a good fighter and probably Amir's plan backfired, but Amir will fight and make a comeback.
All in all, it was a thrilling fight.
timing is a lot better than speed,
@Zeta:
"He is both."
He has dual loyalties?
People who talk big without a tough chin to match the big talk obviously loose. Amir khan is one such guy. He is no Mohammad Ali.
'Garcia upsets Amir Khan'.......UPSETS???? man he was thrashed....
@Singh: He is both.
@antony: well said..
Is Amir Khan a Pakistani or British citizen? Seriously guys its funny to see Pakistani calling him a Pakistani..
Well played Khan, its part of the game.
unbaised opinion that KHAN will come back yes he was overconfident but slighltly unlucky !!! he got a deadly punch threw from the Garcia n after he never recovered!! but Garcia had no match of his speed, class but it happens whn u overconfident !!! Garcia is famous for the heavy counter attack punches n underdog did the same thing again !!!
Amir Khan has reached his sell by date. He should retire and spend more time with his children (if he has any). I always thought he was hot air.
he is over rated. more ever he spends more time in promotions,media, ads, facebook rather than training. he is done with boxing. really an embarrassing defeat
the boxers he lost against were not better than amir khan.. three losses is a major fact now...amir khan should stop thinking about fighting floyd mayweather for now...
why dont they try Shah Rukh Khan?H e will definitely win.
All the pakistanis who earlier supported Khan was praising "Inshallah Khan you will win" ..Now this is a unique nation where religion is brought to every sport and every walk of life against Non muslim ..Now a non muslim who taunted khan very cheaply won hands down ... I would say there are two losers here - one is khan and the other one is the group which brings inshallah into this game . After all this was a game from the begining.
this is exactly what happens when a person is over confident amit khan should get his act together.. mayweather would have knocked him out in the first round..
Garcia's dad must be laughing now! Khan opened his mouth unnecessarily..
it is part of game.Forgate it and think about next.
Congrats Garcia.. very well played.
To be honest Khan's career is over as a Great fighter. He made such mistakes that even novice boxers dont do. The glass chin again haunted him and Garcia who was known for left bout as a signature move was actually Counter Punched Khan with Open defense from Khan and then Khan have to pay. Anyway The good news is that Now Pakistanis started to have interest in boxing and tomorrow more people can adopt this profession.