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Garcia TKOs Vargas in the seventh round

When Keith Thurman was added to the announcing crew for Spike TV's telecast of the Danny Garcia-Samuel Vargas fight, Garcia wasn't fazed at the idea of his next opponent's getting a ringside view at the Liacouras Center to scout.

When Keith Thurman was added to the announcing crew for Spike TV's telecast of the Danny Garcia-Samuel Vargas fight, Garcia wasn't fazed at the idea of his next opponent's getting a ringside view at the Liacouras Center to scout.

"He will just get an up- close and personal look at what will happen to him in March," Garcia told reporters during his media workout last week. "I hope he's paying attention."

Garcia, a Juniata Park native, gave Thurman plenty to pay attention to.

In a fight he was barely hit in, Garcia scored a dominant, seventh-round TKO in a non-title fight over Vargas.

With Vargas up against the ropes late in round seven, Garcia landed a flurry of hooks, prompting referee Gary Rosato to stop the fight.

"Vargas did pretty good," Garcia said. "I felt a little rusty. But I started putting my punches together well and I came out victorious. The overhand right knocked him down the first time. It was just a well-timed shot.

Moments after the win, Garcia climbed through the ropes and stood on the edge of the canvas yelling toward Thurman.

During the postfight TV interview, Garcia was interviewed with Thurman standing in the ring. The two then stood toe-to-toe.

"I just had to tell Keith he's next," Garcia said. "I'm going to whup him. There's not much more to say. He got what he asked for and now he's going to face a real big dog."

"Danny looked strong," Thurman said. "He always looks strong when he's sitting there flat-footed and letting big hooks go. His opposition was never a threat to him at any point."

Garcia, the WBC welterweight title-holder, and Thurman, who holds the WBA belt, will unify their championships on March 4 in what is one of boxing's most highly anticipated fights on the calendar.

The welterweight division (147-pound limit) is in need of a new leader after pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather retired.

Garcia and Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs) have a chance to take the lead.

Dressed in tiger-striped, orange and black trunks, Garcia (33-0, 19 KOs) pounced early and controlled the fight from the opening bell, landing a few big blows in the first round.

Late in the second round, Garcia ducked under a wild Vargas hook and rose up to land a powerful right hook to drop Vargas to the canvas. Vargas barely answered the 10-count before the bell sounded to end the second round.

After another dominant round in the third, Garcia closed the fourth round with a flurry of power punches.

The event Saturday also gave back to the community. A food drive took place in the arena and $10 from every ticket purchased was donated to Philabundance, a nonprofit that aims to end hunger.

"It feels great to give back," Garcia said. "I'm so happy to be able to give back to the people in need. It's almost the holiday season so it's especially important. It's very exciting."

Next on Garcia's plate is the fight he and his fans have been waiting for.