Danny Garcia Has A Long Road To Anxiety And Depression Before Defeating Jose Benavidez

JAKARTA - After his victory over Jose Benavidez, Puerto Rican boxer Danny Garcia admits he has had a difficult time over the past year and a half.

Garcia, who won in the super-welterweight division, had his last professional fight in December 2020. Since then, he has faced a battle tougher than any opponent in the ring, battling anxiety and depression.

"I went through a very difficult time, a lot of pressure, I had a lot of anxiety," Garcia admitted in tears after the match against Benavidez quoted by Marca, Monday.

"I felt too much pressure for everything. It was very difficult for a year and a half."

In the last fight at the end of 2020, Garcia lost to Errol Spence Jr, the reigning champion of 147 pounds.

"If you fight depression and anxiety, you can handle it. I have to get back to doing what I love," he said seriously, before explaining the situation.

"I hope I don't become a meme for crying like Michael Jordan."

In Saturday's bout at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Garcia won 116-112, 117-111 and 114-114 and dominated most of the 12 rounds.

He managed to hit back and land better punches to take enough points in each round.

"The pressures of life, boxing and being a good father waited for me for a year and a half," he continued.

"I'm a fighter, that's what I love to do. If you have anxiety and depression, you get over it, that's what I'm doing today."

Garcia highlighted his father's support who was by his side in every moment a fighter needed him, and not just as his coach.

"My dad was there with me, I am nothing without this man, I thank him every day," she said.

"I have to do what I love, be a fighter. A rematch with Keith Thurman, I want him back. I can fight (Erislandy) Lara."

The win over Benavidez was his first fight at super-welterweight, after mastering super-lightweight and welterweight.