The Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn New York this coming Saturday night, August 9th will see world ranked light welterweights Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia step into the ring in big mismatches. Looking at the lines at Several Bookmakers, Peterson (-3000) is a huge favorite over Edgar Santana (+1500), while Danny Garcia is an even bigger favorite (-3750) over Rod Salka (+1500). The Daniel Jacobs versus Jarrod Fletcher bout that is also on the bill is a bit closer at the books as Jacobs is only a (-650) favorite over Fletcher, who returns (+475). Jacobs is a hometown boy fighting in Brooklyn, so expect him to have a lot of support over his Australian rival. Jacobs is going to enjoy slight height and reach advantages over Fletcher, and he will be faster than his opponent. Jacobs has 24 KOs in 27 career wins, and his personal story, where he has battled cancer makes for the type of story that makes people want to root for him. He is well spoken, and he is looking to capture his first world championship in this, his second attempt. In his first shot, against Dmitry Pirog back in July of 2010, he was ahead on the cards before he got flattened by one punch. Since then, he is 7-0 and he has stopped all his opponents. Fletcher is 1-1 when fighting outside of his native Australia, and he has never fought in the United States before. Heading to Brooklyn should be an experience for him. The bottom line is Jacobs is bigger, stronger and faster than Fletcher, who goes in sporting only a puncher’s chance. Danny Garcia is rated #1 in the weight class, and the native Philadelphian will give an opportunity to Rod Salka, also from the state of Pennsylvania. Garcia owns a sterling amateur record and an undefeated 28-0 pro record, and Salka is just 3 years removed from fighting 6 rounders in basketball gyms. Their is a chasm between the two in talent levels, so much so that promoter Golden Boy’s matchmakers should be questioned. The motive for this match can be seen if you look back at the Peterson squash against Edgar Santana, as the motive is the same for that match. Santana is a solid journeyman who has fought good names and pulled off some wins, but Peterson is in a different class. What Golden Boy is trying to do with these fights is showcase Garcia and Peterson in hopes of making that showdown later this year.
