LOS ANGELES: Danny Garcia overcame a sluggish start to win a unanimous decision over Robert Guerrero at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday and claim the WBC welterweight title vacated by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

With Mayweather, who retired in September, sitting ringside, Garcia (32-0) took control from the middle rounds and was awarded the decision 116-112 by all three judges.

“I’m back where I belong. I am now a two-division world champion,” said Garcia, who also holds the WBC super lightweight belt. “Guerrero is tough. No one has ever stopped him. He came to fight, he was in shape. I’m taking nothing away from him.”

Guerrero (33-4-1) controlled the early going, landing big shots and forcing Garcia to retreat, but things took a turn in the sixth round where Garcia respond with a series of strong right hand shots.

Garcia poured it on late in the fight but Guerrero thought he had done enough.

“Not one person out there thought Danny won but his team. I pressured him, I nailed him, busted his body up. I out-jabbed him,” Guerrero said. “I want a rematch and that’s it.”

Thurman, Porter finalize welterweight title bout March 12

Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter have agreed to fight for Thurman’s WBA welterweight title on March 12, the boxers announced Saturday.

After months of negotiations and mutual accusations of avoidance, the deal is done for one of the most attractive fights in a high-profile division long dominated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Thurman and Porter both have designs on becoming the top new star in the 147-pound class in the wake of Mayweather’s retirement and Pacquiao’s self-described probable retirement in April.

Judging by the intense stare-down in their first joint public appearance in downtown Los Angeles, the boxers realize their dream is one win away.

“When we faced off, I was just like, ‘Ooooh, I need this,’” Porter said.

The fighters will meet at Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut, and their bout will be televised on CBS by Showtime’s boxing production crew.

“It’s obviously the biggest fight of my career,” Thurman said. “He has shown he’s one of the best welterweights in the world. Every single time you see Shawn, he gives it all. He’s not going to back down.”

Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) has held a version of the WBA welterweight title since July 2013, defending it five times. He capably handled a significant step up in opposition quality during 2015, routing Robert Guerrero by decision and stopping veteran Luis Collazo after seven rounds.

Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs) has been in major fights for years, and he won the IBF welterweight title by beating Devon Alexander in December 2013. He stopped veteran star Paulie Malignaggi in 2014, and he dominated Adrien Broner last July before surviving his first career knockdown in the 12th round to win a clear decision.

“I feel like the Adrien Broner fight actually closed some doors,” Porter said, referring to the fear inspired by his powerful performance. “It was hard to make this fight (against Thurman). But now I’m focused on beating Keith.”

Thurman and Porter both see the bout as a star-making opportunity on national television in a division that needs a new power alongside Timothy Bradley, who will fight Pacquiao on April 9.

“This is what we should want for our sport: The best fighting the best,” Porter said. “We’ve just got to put it down, look impressive and win, and then the fame will take care of itself.”