Undefeated Garcia stopped Malignaggi in the ninth round of their welterweight fight on Saturday night, a result which is likely to take their careers in vastly different directions.
Thurman or Porter next?
Garcia stopped Malignaggi in the ninth round of in front of 7,237 fans in Brooklyn to remain undefeated.
Garcia improved to 31-0 with his 18th knockout while Malignaggi dropped to 33-7.
“Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter are great fighters in this division, and they’re both represented by Al Haymon,” said Garcia, the former WBC light welterweight champion.
“So, if they want we can make it happen.”
Stronger
Garcia (31-0, 18 KOs), who can boast Amir Khan among his conquests in the ring, looked strong in stepping up to 147 pounds and got Malignaggi's attention in the opening round with his right hand.
He continued to land right hands and was obviously the stronger fighter.
“I feel strong, I feel good. I used my jab,” said Garcia, 27. “I still have things to work on, but I’m proud of myself; 147 is where it’s at.”
End for Malignaggi
Following the fight, Malignaggi, 34, acknowledged he may be close to retirement.
“I’m probably not fighting again,” said Malignaggi, who also works as a television commentator.
“My career started in Brooklyn 14 years ago. If it ends in Brooklyn tonight, then at least I ended it at home where I’m from and in front of the greatest fans in the world.”
How he won
With Malignaggi against the ropes, Garcia threw a flurry of punches before referee Arthur Mercante Jr stopped it at 2:22 of the ninth.
Garcia and Malignaggi traded shots almost immediately. But Garcia had the better of the exchanges, including opening cuts surrounding Malignaggi’s right eye.
Malignaggi landed his best punch in the seventh, a hard right to the chin that Garcia shook off.
No control
“I was trying to dictate the pace because I didn’t want him to get into a groove,” Malignaggi said. “He’s a hard puncher and I didn’t want to give him confidence to land a big shot.
“I wanted to dictate with my jab and keep him missing so he’d second-guess on throwing his power ... I never could get control of the pace.”
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