A thrilling showdown is on the horizon. Former two-division world champion Danny Garcia is set to face WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara in a high-stakes bout on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga fight. Scheduled for September 14th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this match holds special significance for Garcia, making it more than just another fight.

Garcia is poised for a monumental return to the ring after a period of inconsistent activity. His most recent bout was a majority decision victory over Jose Benavidez Jr in July 2022, while his previous fight saw him defeated by Errol Spence Jr. in December 2020. Determined to make his comeback as impactful as possible, Garcia has joined forces with his father, Ángel Garcia, to prepare for this high-profile match.

Meet Angel Garcia, Danny Garcia’s coach and father

They say there’s always a woman behind every man’s success. However, behind Danny Garcia—it was his fiery and unforgettable coach and father Angel Garcia. Much like Danny’s journey thus far in the sport of boxing, Angel’s upbringing was marked by intense racism and hardships as he grew up in the tough neighborhoods of North Philadelphia. To top it off, it was the 1960s and ’70s, so you can imagine what the life of a Puerto Rican immigrant in America would have been like.

Life for his mother, Carmen Moulier, was not the best either—she worked tirelessly to provide for her family, which unsurprisingly influenced Angel’s drive. Looking back, Angel’s journey from a kid picking blueberries in South Jersey just to make $1.10 a crate to becoming a world-class boxing trainer is marked by unparalleled adversity. This included a prison stint in 1998 for possession of c***ine and intent of distribution, as well as a battle with throat cancer at the age of 39. 

Despite these challenges, Angel Garcia became a fierce advocate for his son, Danny, whom he began training at the age of eight. This father-son collaboration shaped and guided Danny Garcia to multiple world titles. Angel’s mixed approach of toughness and familial love makes him the ace in Danny’s corner. As Swift prepares for his upcoming bout, Angel remains a central force, as the duo aims to retain their former glory.

Where does Danny Garcia train?

‘Swift’ might not have entered the ring in a while, but he remained active through his rigorous training all this time as if he could get a call at any time. Danny Garcia trains at his boxing gym in Juniata Park, Philadelphia. The 36-year-old trains like he is still in his prime, preparing for the biggest fight of his career, which the Lara fight in a way is for him.

His routine includes multiple sessions per week at the gym, along with riding his Peloton bike at home in Montgomery County, running on the treadmill, and jogging outside. Despite this, Danny Garcia realizes that retirement is near and he seems ready to enter the next chapter in his life as a promoter. In fact, he promoted the first boxing card of his career in Philadelphia. 

According to sources, the card unfolded back in July at the 2300 Arena in South Philly, a venue Danny is well acquainted with—it was this arena where he won twice before becoming a world champion. Speaking about DSG Promotions, his company, Danny said, “I always knew I was going to be a promoter. I just didn’t know when. I feel like the time is right now. That’s why I pulled the trigger.”

As Danny Garcia and his father/trainer prepare for their upcoming fight against Erislandy Lara on September 14th, they’re aiming to secure a world title in a third weight class. But will their ambitions be realized? Only time will tell. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Angel’s journey?