Garcia knocks out Morales, keeps lightweight titles in first match at new Barclays

Local boxer Danny Garcia is still undefeated after knocking out Erik Morales Saturday night to keep his WBC and WBA super lightweight titles.

Garcia (25-0) connected with a left hook to Morales’ head that dropped him at 1:23 of the fourth round. It was Garcia’s 16th career knockout. He had beaten Morales by unanimous decision when the two fought back in March.

“I showed him too much respect in the first fight,” Garcia told The Associated Press. “You see the first fight, I thought this fight would be more of a war. I never duck anybody. Keep lining them up and I’ll knock them down.”

The fight was the first boxing match staged at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. With 25 straight wins, and his second knockout in three months — he beat Amir Khan July 14 in his first title defense — Garcia’s star continues to rise and rise.

“I’m only 24 years old, but I’m slowly progressing and I’m still young. I feel like it’s coming right along perfect,” Garcia told Metro back in September.