Danny Garcia left faces off against Lucas Matthysse.(Photo Jayne Kamin Oncea USA TODAY Sports)
Story HighlightsKnockdown came in the 11th roundFight could have been main bout on any other nightPrelim for Mayweather AlvarezSwollen eye might have been a factor for MatthysseSHARE 2 CONNECT 23 TWEETCOMMENTEMAILMORE
LAS VEGAS Danny Garcia shook off the powerful punches of Lucas Matthysse early then took advantage of his opponent's badly swollen right eye and knocked him down in the 11th round to retain his unified super lightweight titles Saturday night by unanimous decision.
Garcia (27 0 16 KOs) fought brilliantly avoiding the big punch from Matthysse and seemingly getting stronger as the fight wore on.
I'm the champion of the world. I'm not scared of anyone Garcia said. If you can make it out of Philadelphia you can make it anywhere.
Matthysse's right eye swelled nearly shut in the seventh round possibly from an accidental head butt and Garcia attacked the area landing big left hooks and combinations that landed on the swollen eye and the body.
Garcia won on all three judges' scorecards 115 111 114 112 and 114 112 despite being docked for a low blow in the 12th round. But by then it didn't matter.
In the 11th round Garcia pinned Matthysse (34 3 32 KOs) on the ropes then landed a combination right and left hook which put Matthysse on the canvas.
I could still see even though my eye was swollen Matthysse said. I kept fighting I was a warrior. I was looking for a knockout the entire fight.
I fought well and I hurt my right hand. Garcia's a great warrior too.
The fight could have been a headliner on almost any other night but on this night in the MGM Grand Garden it was the prelim to Floyd Mayweather and Saul Canelo Alvarez.
Round by round Garcia in unanimous decision
Garcia was the heavy underdog coming into the fight at least with the media. Most had Matthysse winning by a knockout.
I'm a great warrior he's a great warrior and I fought my heart out Garcia said. I'm a Philadelphian.
Garcia said this week this might be his last fight at 140 pounds which would put him in the stacked welterweight field.
Matthysse from Argentina came in to the contest having knocked out 32 of opponents. Coming into Saturday's fight his two career losses to Zab Judah and Devon Alexander were both close and controversial.
Garcia received $1.5 million for his night's work while Matthysse got $800 000.
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