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'Being a mother of a boxer is extremely nerve-wracking,' Danny Garcia's mom said ahead of Errol Spence Jr. fight

Dec 4, 2020, 15:59 IST
Insider
Danny Garcia hits Zab Judah.Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
  • The two-weight world champion Danny Garcia has kept his family close throughout his life and prizefighting career.
  • He is trained by his father, Angel.
  • His mother, Maritza, has not missed any of his 38 pro bouts, but she recently said the journey has been nerve-wracking.
  • "It tears me apart to see my son box," said Maritza ahead of Danny's title fight against Errol Spence Jr. inside AT&T Stadium on Saturday.
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Danny Garcia's mother, Maritza Garcia, said ahead of her son's big welterweight world title fight Saturday that being a boxer's mom "is extremely nerve-wracking."

As a two-weight world champion, the fighter has been a staple of the elite boxing scene for the last decade, having competed against Erik Morales, Keith Thurman, and Shawn Porter.

He returns to the ring this weekend, challenging Errol Spence Jr. for the unbeaten American's IBF and WBC championships.

Maritza Garcia will be traveling to the fight at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, like she does for all of his fights, but said at a public workout last week that she experiences conflicting emotions while watching him box.

"I'm extremely proud of him … he works really hard," Maritza said.

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"Being a mother of a boxer is extremely nerve-wracking, even though I'm really proud of him and wish him the best, it tears me apart to see my son box."

Maritza said despite all that, she's not missed one of his 38 pro bouts. "I go to all his fights," she said.

"Danny always works hard," she added. "To me, it's about the same, but he tries to work harder for every fight."

Danny has kept his family close throughout his life and career, and he's even trained by his father, Angel Garcia - Maritza's husband.

Angel is one of boxing's biggest characters

Danny with Angel Garcia.Photo by Edward Diller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Angel Garcia wears sunglasses indoors, animal print trainer jackets, and refers to himself as "The Bird Man."

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He has guided his son's career to multiple world championship fights. He is also all too happy to engage in verbal confrontations regardless of whether that's with Danny's opponents or media members he thinks asked a silly question.

A self-described "mother f----- from the hood," the mid-50s boxing coach has previously said he grew up at a time in Philadelphia when Puerto Ricans like himself would endure racism simply for speaking Spanish.

He is known for his one-liners at press conferences, once said that modern society is too soft because people look at you funny when you "fart too loud," and can, at times, be politically incorrect.

"I know my husband is crazy," Maritza said. "And sometimes he gets in trouble because he says what he thinks, and I think you should not say what you think. But that's Angel, he's crazy, and nobody's going to change him."

Nobody will change Angel's unwavering belief in Danny, either - a fighter who has scored wins over Amir Khan, Zab Judah, Lucas Matthysse, Lamont Peterson, and, more recently, Ivan Redkach.

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"We had a great camp," Angel said this week. "We left everything in the gym. The job is done, and we're here now.

"Danny is going to go out there and show the world what a true champion is made of. Nothing is going to phase Danny heading into this fight. It doesn't matter what anyone on the outside is saying.

"Danny doesn't just know how to win. He knows how to kick your ass."

Though she'll be nervous, Maritza finished: "I'm very excited, and I know my son is going to be victorious."

The Premier Boxing Champions event will be broadcast on December 5 on Fox Sports pay-per-view in the US.

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