Kritik und Lob » nted guy, Rizzi said. So weve got h

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. Nike Air Max 270 Belgie . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Air Max 270 Sale Belgie . James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heats overtime loss at Sacramento. He sat out the following game, a 108-107 win Saturday in Portland, before coming back to help send the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive loss. http://www.airmax270belgie.be/ . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Nike Air Max 270 Bestellen . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Nike Air Max 270 Goedkoop . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. DAVIE, Fla. -- It has been nearly a year since Chris Culliver played in a game, and the countdown to his 2016 debut is almost over.So hes a little anxious, right?I like that one, Culliver said Wednesday, approving the choice of words. That was good. Im definitely anxious, you know what Im saying? Ready to pop out of my skin.Activated this week by the Miami Dolphins, Culliver said he was told hell play Sunday at San Diego. The veteran cornerback has been sidelined since tearing ACL and MCL ligaments in his right knee last Thanksgiving Day while with the Redskins.Its going to be a lot of emotion and a lot of good vibes out there Sunday, Culliver said.Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was noncommittal regarding Cullivers timetable, but said the Dolphins will welcome his help.Xavien Howard started as a rookie until he suffered a knee injury that required minor surgery. Hes expected to be out at least one more week. Converted receiver Tony Lippett replaced Howard with mixed results, and the other starter is veteran Byron Maxwell, who has played better since a brief benching.Obviously we need more capable corners, Joseph said. If Chris is ready, hes going to play. Weve only got really four healthy guys; you need probably five or six to play a season. Having a corner like Culliver come up who has played at a high level hhelps you.dddddddddddd It allows us to have more flexibility.Culliver said he knows he wont play every snap, but hes gratified to provide a reinforcement.Youve got guys playing about 70 plays or whatever; you cut that to 50, 40 plays, Culliver said. Those guys get fresh legs. Youve got guys rotating in. It brings a good dynamic.Dolphins special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi said Culliver can also help on punt and kickoff coverage.He did a lot of stuff in college and is a very talented guy, Rizzi said. So weve got him trained to help in those roles.Culliver had been on the physically unable to perform list since August, shortly after he signed a $2.5 million, one-year contract. The Dolphins were required to activate him this week if he was to play at all this season.He has 26 career starts and seven interceptions. One of his picks came two years ago against the Chargers Philip Rivers, who faces Miami on Sunday.I accomplished a lot; still want to accomplish more, Culliver said.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve-Wine. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/steven-wine ' ' '