Welterweight titleholder Danny Swift Garcia dusted off the rust in a trouble-free seventh-round stoppage of Samuel Vargas (25-3-1) Saturday night in Philadelphia. Garcias next opponent, Keith One Time Thurman, was ringside and ready physically and verbally for their March 4 bout. Here is what we learned from Garcias one-sided victory over Vargas.Its been a long waitGarcia held tight to his perfect record, moving to 33-0 (19 KOs) with an easily protected victory over underdog Vargas, who was simply a tuneup for Garcia.Garcia spent the past 10 months outside of the ring fighting critics. The Philly boy has been flawed for bobbing top-ranked fighters. His last reputable fight was arguably against Lucas Matthysse almost three years ago. Since then, he has faced veterans Paulie Malignaggi and Robert Guerrero, who were both past their prime. Junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford was one of his critics, saying, that dont even add up, the guy [Vargas] is ranked 42 in the division; what is that?However, it was a smart move for Garcia to test his gears before emptying out the tank against fellow unbeaten titlist Thurman next year. Thurman has been making a habit of destroying perfect records. One Time delivered Shawn Porters second loss in June. Clearly, Garcia was seeking reassurance, matching up soft with Vargas before judgement day in March. And that is exactly what he got.Vargas who?The average Joe did not know who Vargas was before this fight. And if they did, its because Vargas was pummeled on the ropes by rising star Errol Spence Jr. in 2015. Vargas took the fight against Garcia with five weeks notice and on a five-fight winning streak.Unfortunately, Vargas came up a lot short. He was dropped late in the second round, but the Colombian-born Canadian hung in there, absorbing power shots from Garcia. He simply did not have the hand speed to go toe-to-toe with Garcia. However, on the business side, landing on the main card of a PBC fight is not a bad result for Vargas. We know who he is now ... right?Garcias left hook is still sweet but can get salty ... and quicklyGarcia connected on a huge right hand that sent Vargas back flipping his way out of the second round. Garcia is naturally calm and patient in the ring, so he spent Rounds 4 through 7 waiting to comfortably trap and wear down Vargas.Garcia found several openings, teeing off with a big right and few swinging uppercuts, several of them low. The silent killer was and is his signature left hook. Garcia usually leans on his left hand to get the job done, even though he didnt as much on Saturday night. He eliminated legendary Mexican fighter Erik Morales twice. And in their second bout, Garcias left hook sent Morales spinning into the ropes and to the canvas. It ultimately labeled him as a champion-caliber fighter in 2012. That same left hand delivered knockout power and precision against Rod Salka, and a stunning victory over Amir Khan. Garcias bleeding hook has lost some of its luster against recent opponents Robert Guerrero and Lamont Peterson. Garcia will have to find a way to revive that left hand against Thurman, whos the definition of a true boxer.Like father, like sonGarcias father and trainer, Angel Garcia, has the reputation of being a character. Angel talks a lot of trash, but his fighter has always backed it up. Danny usually leaves the bad mouthing to his father. However, at the conclusion of the Vargas fight, he pulled a Conor McGregor. He hopped out of the ring and stood on the skirt of the canvas, where he could look straight down at Thurman, who was doing color commentary for Spike TV, and the two began going at it. Garcia was red hot while Thurman was very cool, saying, This is the third daddys boy Ill beat. The budding rivalry continued in the ring moments later, when Garcia asked for his Philly fans to get involved. And who was right by his side? Angel.Garcia should stay homeGarcia walked into the arena with the Purge mask, leopard-print trunks and with Philadelphia 76ers Hall of Famer Allen Iverson in the audience, while fans chanted, Lets go Danny. If that isnt love, then I dont know what is. The Barclays Center in Brooklyn has played second home for Garcia. The only other time Garcia came home to fight at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia was in 2009 against Enrique Colin. None of Garcias fights in the City of Brotherly Love have gone the distance, and Saturdays fight was no different.With a new bill passed in New York that dramatically increases insurance premiums paid by promoters, the state is struggling to host premiere boxing events. Philadelphia might be that golden ticket for Garcia.?Marcos Rojo Jersey . The lawyers filed a 33-page amended complaint Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan, expanding on the suit originally filed Oct. 3 in New York Supreme Court. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz last week refused to compel Selig to testify in the grievance, and Rodriguez then walked out of the hearing without testifying. Blank Manchester United Jersey . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. http://www.jerseymanchesterunitedsoccer.com/womens-luke-shaw-manchester-united-jersey/ . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Eric Bailly Jersey . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. Paul Pogba Manchester United Jersey . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn has a message for Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess: Youre not that good.Munnerlyn said the Vikings concentrated on slowing down Carolinas No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who came into the game with 13 catches for 199 yards and three TDs, while largely ignoring Funchess.Funchess couldnt take advantage of seeing mostly single coverage. Neither he nor Benjamin recorded a catch in Carolinas 22-10 loss to Minnesota.We just knew where Benjamin was the whole time, Munnerlyn said. Funchess, we werent worried about him. It was Kelvin Benjamin. Im just going to be honest. Me personally, I dont think he is that good, No. 17 (Funchess). So we werent really worried about him.Funchess was unavailable for comment after the game.After a solid training camp and preseason, Funchess has struggled this season with only three catches for 28 yards and one touchdown.The Panthers opened the game in a three-receiver set on Sunday that did not include Funchess. Ted Ginn Jr. and Philly Brown started alongside Benjamin. Ginn had three catches for 62 yards and Brown four grabs for 57 yards.NEWTON FINE: Cam Newton said hes fine after Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph landed on his leg while chasing him out of the pocket.Newton sat out a play then returned and finished the game.The leagues MVP has a chance to get back in a rhythm next Sunday when the Panthers play their first NFC South game against the Falcons, who surrendered four TD passes to the Bucs Jameis Winston in Week One and three to the Raiders Derek Carr in Week Two.BRADFORD COMFORTABLE: Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford is now 2-0 as the Vikings starter, despite getting off to a slow start against the Panthers.Bradford was 4 of 11 for 26 yards passing over the first two quarters. But in the second half, he went 14 of 17 for 145 yards and a touchdown , a 15-yarder to Kyle Rudolph in the third quarter that put Minnesota in the lead.We just never really found the rhythm, in the first half, Bradford said.While not as impressive as his debut -- 286 yards and two touchdowns in beating the Green Bay Packers last week -- Zimmer is ready to say that Bradfford now knows the Vikings offense heading into their matchup against the New York Giants.ddddddddddddI think we probably need to put the whole `learning the offense thing away. Hes good to go with all that stuff, Zimmer said.VIKINGS GROUND GAME: The Vikings are winning despite not having much of a ground game.They came in ranked 32nd in the league in rushing and only had 58 yards rushing against the Panthers without Adrian Peterson. Third-year pro Jerick McKinnon finished with 16 carries for 45 yards. Matt Asiata started but had just 15 yards on six carries.Those guys ran the ball pretty good today, Zimmer said. We stuck to it a little bit more in the second half. It helps take some of the pressure off of the pass rush when you can do those things.SAFETY STREAK: Minnesota defensive end Danielle Hunters first-quarter sack on Newton gave the Vikings their first defensive safety in nearly five years. Hunter brought Newton down from behind for a five-yard loss with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter for the safety, Minnesotas first since Dec. 4, 2011, during a 35-32 loss to the Denver Broncos.That safety that Danielle Hunter got was a big turning point in the game, Zimmer said as it cut Carolinas lead to 10-2.WINNING SPECIAL TEAMS: After struggling through the first two weeks of the season, Minnesota punter Jeff Locke found his range against the Panthers. Entering Sundays game averaging a league-worst 38.6 yards per punt, Locke averaged 48.4 yards per on his seven punts, including a season-best 62-yarder in the first quarter.Locke twice pinned the Panthers inside their own five-yard line with long kicks, both of which led to Vikings scores. The 62-yarder set up Hunters sack and safety, and a 58-yarder in the second quarter pinned Carolina at its own 2 in the second quarter.Meanwhile, Carolina gave up a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown to Marcus Sherels and Graham Gano missed a 54-yard field goal.---Freelance Writer Bill Kiser contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
