"Making 40 isn't an issue; it's just something that he does. He could make 40 as long as he wants to make 40. It's not an issue to make 40, but you will see a more powerful and smoother Danny at 147. There are things we cannot do because of his natural body design making 140. I can't put too much muscle on him; I can't overwork him because then it becomes an issue about making weight because you can't lose muscle. You can add water and all that, but once you put muscle on, you can't take that back overnight and you can't tear it down in 8 weeks. So at 47, there are just more areas that we can utilize how his body is that's going to make him even more powerful," stated world-class Strength & Conditioning Coach Tony Davis, who talked about his work and future plans with undefeated unified jr. welterweight champion Danny Garcia. Check it out!
PC: Obviously you knew conditioning would be a major part in withstanding what Lucas Matthysse brought to the table. How was Danny's camp for that fight?
TD: It probably was one of the best camps we have had. No injuries and Danny was super focused. I have seen him intense like that several times, but this was like the next level and he wanted it so much. So camp went well; extremely well. We peaked on time and everybody worked well together, just like we always do.
PC: You can't necessarily strengthen a chin because you're facing a big puncher, but I have been told by trainers that the ability to take a shot depends a lot on the shape that you can get your legs in. Was that a main focal point for you?
TD: Absolutely. Part of taking a punch is your ability to recover and your durability, and durability definitely comes from the legs and that was a major focus during our training camp this time around. From the rumors that Matthysse was this power puncher, I knew Danny had to have some shock absorbers on him. We focused on legs, shoulder area, back area, and different parts of his body that could help basically absorb a blow and send it throughout the body instead of just letting it sit in one area. So you are absolutely right.
PC: Being that you were the guy responsible for getting him to 140, when it was first said that he was a pound over, did you know that was bogus or were you worried because Danny is a big guy and he probably didn't have another pound to lose?
TD: I wasn't worried at all. Never once did it cross my mind that he was overweight because we know what we do; nothing changes. We are so in tune to this weight and what's going on fight week that we are on that 100%. That's nothing that sneaks up on a champ. A champ doesn't lose weight all of a sudden. It's part of a 10-week regimen. This is something that we do. We knew there had to be an error. We weren't worried at all.
PC: When you say this was probably one of the best camps you guys have had, what does that entail?
TD: The first part is focus and then follow that up with dedication. Danny doesn't have to be motivated. That's the beauty of Danny. It all starts with Danny. Angel does all of the necessary boxing work that he needs to do through study and everything, and it gets him through his sparring and boxing routines and I can take him through anything I want when it comes to conditioning. But if he doesn't want it and he doesn't go out there and execute, it's never going to happen. So the ideal camp...Angel explains it well; we're spiritually, physically, and mentally in tune as a team. Everybody knows their role and everybody knows that Danny is the head and we're just parts of the body that help the head go. That's the perfect camp.
PC: A lot of people didn't expect this fight to go the distance. As his strength trainer, you have to prepare him for 12 rounds. Did you know it could or would end up being a brawl like it was and a war of attrition?
TD: We think every fight could potentially be like that. Danny never...Danny is the most humble type of fighter that you ever want to meet. He never underestimates the man that he's going up against when it comes to preparation time. Even if there is something in his mind where he thinks he could take the guy out, he's not gonna take it lightly. He's gonna prepare for 12 rounds. He said it throughout his entire camp he is ready to go 12 rounds. We prepare for 12 rounds always because any day, if you are fighting someone who is just as powerful and can move like you and think on your level, at the end of the day what happens is who can last the longest and who is the strongest. That's gonna get you that win.
PC: Looking at Danny and knowing his physical and mental state, at what point during the fight did you feel like you guys had Matthysse right where you wanted him?
TD: There were several times that that comes up. His focus and his whole facial expression as he walks into the ring. And then when you get involved into the fight, the latter part of the 2nd round and the early part of the 3rd round, Danny started catching and moving with a lot of the blows. Once he starts learning a fighter like that, just from watching him over and over again, I know it's only a matter of time before he starts countering and coming in with his own attack. So in the 2nd or 3rd round, I knew that Danny had this fight under control.
PC: Before the fight was signed, people were saying Danny was afraid. There was Danny's face put on a Howard the Duck picture saying he would duck Matthysse. Did that bother you or did you use it as motivation for Danny?
TD: Neither! It doesn't bother us and it don't add to any type of motivation, believe it or not. It's like, someone can't come into your home and tell you what you got. They have to be there and experience it and live it. We are experiencing this on a daily basis. Every day we are in the gym with him, so we know what he has and what he's about. We know what we have. It wasn't anything for us to prove. That was just for the rest of he world to see what we already knew we had. So it's not an added motivation and it's not an irritation; it's almost comical at some point sometimes.
PC: We spoke at the MGM after the weigh-ins and although it appears Danny will fight at 140 at least one more time, you told me, "Wait until I get him at 147. You will really see power." Are you licking your chops for that move up?
TD: Understand, making 40 isn't an issue; it's just something that he does. He could make 40 as long as he wants to make 40. It's not an issue to make 40, but you will see a more powerful and smoother Danny at 147. There are things we cannot do because of his natural body design making 140. I can't put too much muscle on him; I can't overwork him because then it becomes an issue about making weight because you can't lose muscle. You can add water and all that, but once you put muscle on, you can't take that back overnight and you can't tear it down in 8 weeks. So at 47, there are just more areas that we can utilize how his body is that's going to make him even more powerful.
PC: In a game where everyone is looking for the best S. & C. coach available, I think your name has to start being mentioned with the work you are doing with Danny. I'm sure your phone will start ringing often in the near future and best of luck to you.
TD: I hope that we have continued success. As long as Danny stays the professional that he is and continues to do what he does, we are gonna be in this thing for a long time. And I look forward to my phone ringing because I know I can help a lot of fighters out there. It's about knowing the body and knowing how to make it work for a boxer and I think I do that well and I think Danny responds to it quite well. We are just looking forward to the best competition, man.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]