Talk » TSN.ca Play of the Year Show

Welterweight world titleholder Danny Garcia has faced less-than-threatening competition for the most part of the past three years -- Rod Salka, lest anyone forget -- and has taken heavy criticism for it.And once again, he will take on a no-hoper when he faces Samuel Vargas in a 10-round nontitle bout in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card on Saturday night (Spike, 9 ET) at Temple Universitys Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Garcias hometown.But as poor of a matchup as the Vargas fight is, at least there is something to look forward to should Garcia do the expected and wipe him out.A Garcia victory will set up an already-announced world title unification showdown with Keith Thurman on March 4 -- site to be determined -- which is one of the best fights that can be made in boxing. Garcia (32-0, 18 KOs), the former unified junior welterweight world champion, said he is trying not to get too far ahead of himself, however.I know people are excited about the Thurman fight. I understand that and Im going to be pumped up for that one, too, Garcia, 28, said this week at the final news conference ahead of the Vargas bout. But Im not looking past anybody. Im fully focused on putting on a show at home and doing what I have to do to beat Vargas.Theres not too much to say but Im really excited to fight. I hope all the fans come out and see what theyve been missing in Philly. Im going for the knockout.A knockout wont come as a surprise. Although Vargas has won five fights in a row against low-level opposition, he was punished in a fourth-round knockout loss to Errol Spence Jr. in 2015 in the only fight in which he has faced a world-class opponent.But Vargas (25-2-1, 13 KOs), 27, who is from Colombia and fights out of Toronto, is aiming for a colossal upset.Danny is a champion for a reason. He does everything well. We just have to find a way to win, Vargas said. My trainer, Billy Briscoe, has done an amazing job of working with me and keeping me motivated. Its been a really good camp. Im looking for the upset that night. Everyone wants to see Danny fight Keith Thurman, but Im looking to make myself known. I feel confident.There are also two other 10-round fights scheduled for the telecast: up-and-coming junior middleweight Jarrett Hurd (18-0, 12 KOs), 26, of Accokeek, Maryland, against Montreals Jo Jo Dan (35-3, 18 KOs), a 35-year-old southpaw originally from Romania, and former junior lightweight titlist Javier Fortuna (30-1-1, 22 KOs), 27, of the Dominican Republic, against Omar Douglas (17-0, 12 KOs), 25, of Wilmington, Delaware.Whatever happens in the main event, there will be an interested party at ringside. Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs), 27, of Clearwater, Florida, will be in the house working as a commentator on the Spike broadcast as PBC tries to hype up the March fight.He will just get an up close and personal look at what will happen to him in March, said Garcia, who is boxing in his hometown for the first time since 2010 and for only the fourth time in his nine-year career. I hope hes paying attention. I am just going in the ring and be myself. Seek and destroy. I am taking this one round at a time. Im looking to be smart and break him down. When the opportunity comes, Im taking it and putting on a show.I am not looking past this fight. I have tunnel vision and have never looked past anyone. I know he is coming to win, but I am ready mentally and physically to get the job done.Perhaps he was being a bit dramatic, but Angel Garcia, Dannys outspoken father and trainer, seemed to indicate the level of mismatch in Saturdays fight.I just pray every day that he doesnt kill anybody in the ring, Angel Garcia said of his son. These arent the Looney Tunes. This is real right now. Vargas is in with the champ of the world. Thurman may be on the outside looking in on Saturday, but hes going to see what he has in store for him in March.Thurman told ESPN he will be paying close attention to Garcias performance and that he is looking forward to the fight he has wanted.This is everything Ive been asking for, Thurman said. This is what Ive been asking Al Haymon [Thurman and Garcias manager] for. I was really adamant about becoming a champion, but I want to acquire more than one belt. My true passion is to become the undisputed welterweight champion of the world. I love the history of the welterweight division and Im trying to be a part of that history.I got to admit [Saturdays fight] is interesting. I will have one of the best seats in the house. I will be doing a job but I will be paying attention to the details.Before he knew he would be fighting Garcia, Thurman was a commentator when Garcia outpointed Robert Guerrero in January to win a vacant welterweight world title. He hoped they would eventually fight.Watching him acquire that title and facing a prior opponent of mine, he was on my radar back then, said Thurman, who battered Guerrero in a decision win in March 2015. Now its all coming full circle and its right around the corner, March 4. Danny Garcia asked for this fight against me, but he asked for a tune-up fight first.Thurman said he will be paying attention to see how Garcia attacks Vargas.Are they going to go in for a knockout to demonstrate his power at 147 and just try to amp themselves up or are they going to take their time, maybe add something new to his fighting style or practice something, Thurman said.Thurman, who outpointed Shawn Porter in a fight of the year candidate in June, said he wanted to face Garcia at the end of this year, but because Garcia had not fought since January, his team wanted a tune-up first.I understand why his team is taking this tune-up, but what are they trying to accomplish, Thurman said. [Work on] new techniques? Prepare a game plan to mimic what they want to bring forth when they fight me? Hes supposed to beat this guy and from there hes going to be like me -- mentally focused on 2017 for the biggest fight of his career and the biggest fight of my career.There is going to be lot to talk about. I know he and his team are geared up for it. Saturday night is in preparation for 2017.But what if the unimaginable should happen and Garcia loses?Things can happen in the ring. Theres always a risk, Thurman said. I just dont like to worry about outcomes that havent manifested yet. I will be there as a spectator wishing for Danny to win and look good. I want him to look as good as he can. I want the world to be excited about it. With a mediocre performance it could kill some of the buzz. But you will be looking at two undefeated world champions in their prime going toe to toe on March 4. Yeezy 350 v2 Acheter . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Yeezy 350 V2 Zebra Pas Cher . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. http://www.pascheryeezy350v2.fr/ .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Yeezy 350 V2 Sesame Pas Cher . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Off White Yeezy 350 V2 Pas Cher . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league.TSN.cas 2013 Play of the Year Showdown marches forward with two incredible plays that left defencemen dizzy and out of position. Shawn Matthias of the Florida Panthers makes his second appearance of the POY, and is joined by Chicago Blackhawks star forward Jonathan Toews as these two energetic forwards try to strong-arm their way to a POY title. Shawn Matthias second entry in the 2013 POY combines speed, creativity and a very good head fake. Matthias streaks through the neutral zone with speed, approaches Winnipegs blue line and does a little one-handed shake n bake, dusting a tangled Mark Stuart, and finishing it all off with a gorgeous snipe on Ondrej Pavelec. Toews 2013 POY nomination is a clever, quick and strong move that really demonstrates why Toews is such a dominant player on the ice. Toews gathers speed as his zips towards the Phoenix Coyotes blue line. Just as he crosses it, he gives a quick head fake, and pulls the puck out and across his body, turning the very talented Oliver Ekmann-Larsson inside out.dddddddddddd Toews then rips a tricky wrist-shot that beats a stunned Mike Smith. You can watch the highlights and make your decision here (http://poy.tsn.ca). Every vote counts so watch all the plays and take part in the TSN.ca Play of the Year Showdown. Player facts: - Matthias played for Canada at the 2008 World Juniors in Ottawa, where he and his teammates captured the gold medal on home soil- Toews led the entire NHL in even-strength goals during the 2012-13 season with 19 (a very impressive accomplishment in todays NHL). He also led the 2010-11 Chicago Blackhawks in scoring with 76 points. Fun facts: - A late-round pick in the OHL priority draft, Matthias surprised everyone when he made the Belleville Bulls starting roster as an under-aged player. - After the Blackhawks won the 2010-11 Stanley Cup, Toews took the Cup back to his hometown of Winnipeg where the Province of Manitoba announced that they would be naming a lake named after the young star, called Toews Lake. ' ' '