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Danny Garcia wins majority decision over Lamont Peterson

NEW YORK - Danny Garcia opened an early lead against Lamont Peterson and held on to win a majority decision in their nontitle bout in front of 12,300 fans at Barclays Center on Saturday night.

NEW YORK - Danny Garcia opened an early lead against Lamont Peterson and held on to win a majority decision in their nontitle bout in front of 12,300 fans at Barclays Center on Saturday night.

Garcia, who won the early rounds but was clearly taking a beating late, won on the cards, 115-113, 115-113, and 114-114.

With the win, Garcia, the WBA and WBC super-welterweight champ, improved to 30-0. Peterson, the IBF super-welterweight titlist, saw his record fall to 33-3-1.

Fighting at a catch weight of 143 pounds, Peterson, who spent plenty of the fight early on his toes and keeping his distance, settled down in the later rounds and was the better puncher. However, in the eyes of the judges it was too little, too late. Neither fighter's belts were on the line.

North Philadelphia's Garcia threw more punches, 589 to 494. Peterson out-jabbed him, connecting on 65 of 283 compared with Garcia's landing just 26 jabs. Garcia landed more power shots, 147-105.

"That was a war," Garcia said. "He did a good job, and I did a good job. I was really prepared."

Peterson closed the fight strong, wining the 10th, 11th, and 12th rounds on the cards of two judges. The other awarded Garcia a 10-9 advantage in the 10th. That's when the swelling in Garcia's right eye became problematic.

Garcia won the early rounds just by being more active. Peterson hurt himself by exhibiting an unwillingness to trade blows.

Still, Garcia knew that Peterson was closing the gap late.

"I felt like it was getting edgy in the middle," Garcia said. "I thought it was close, I'm not going to lie. But I felt like I did enough to win."

Both fighters are eyeing a move up to 147 pounds for more lucrative bouts. Garcia, who collected $1.5 million for the night's work, said he was definitely moving up since he can no longer make 143 or 140 comfortably.

"I do feel like I have to move up in weight because it's definitely affecting my performance," Garcia said.

Asked if a future fight with Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao - who are set to square off next month - is in his plans, Garcia said "eventually."

"I would love to fight one of them," he said, "but I need a couple of fights at 147 first."

A clearly disappointed Peterson thought he had won the fight and was not impressed with Garcia.

"I'm not calling it robbery, but I thought I was controlling the fight early," Peterson said.