PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Danny Garcia laughs off the idea that he’s getting chubby with this move to 160 pounds. In fact, the former two-division champion, now 36, is far from fat. This is probably the most sculpted he’s been in his long, distinguished pro career. He knows the meter is ticking on what amounts to a Hall of Fame career. Right now, dangling before him is the icing on the cake: WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (30-3-3, 18 knockouts) on Saturday night’s Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga undercard from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Lara, ranked No. 4 in The Ring’s middleweight division, agreed to a fight against Garcia (37-3, 21 KOs) at a catchweight of 157 pounds. Lara will have a harder time coming down than Garcia did coming up.

“Call me a steak-and-potatoes guy,” Garcia said with a laugh after a recent workout. “I feel great. I have to gain a little bit of weight to get to 157. I can maintain my weight. There was a time when I stayed at 140 (where he reigned as Ring/WBA/WBA junior welter world champion), and toward the end of 147 (where he reigned as WBC welterweight champion) it was hard to make the weight. It took a toll on me. This is the best I’ve felt in a long time. I know when I fought at 154 (in a 12-round majority decision over Jose Benavidez Jr.), I felt great. I felt like it was my natural weight.

“I’m getting bigger and more muscular when I train. I can maintain the weight now with the move up. I’ve sparred bigger guys, I feel my snap and I feel my feet are good. I’m moving good. I feel much stronger mentally and physically. I can walk around at 163 and put all my focus on building a game plan. I’m not training to cut weight like I have in the past.”

“Swift” said he has respect for Cuban expatriate Lara. The southpaw, once considered a cutie who was afraid to fight, has changed his whole attitude. He has stopped his last three opponents and that is exciting. Although he is 41, he has shown no signs of slowing down.

Garcia said he studied Lara. He knows what to expect. In preparation, his sparring partners were around 170, 175 pounds.

“I think this has a chance to be the fight of the year,” Garcia said. “I’m ready for anything. If he wants to stay there and bang, we can bang. If I have to chase him, I have to chase him. Or maybe he has to chase me (laughs), but I doubt it. I feel strong here (at 157). I’ve carried my strength with me. He could make the mistake of thinking he’s the stronger guy. If he does, he’ll be very surprised how strong I am. Just like everyone else. He can try whatever he wants to try.”

Now the owner of a promotional company and several businesses in the Philadelphia area, Garcia knows he’s nearing the end and wants to leave on his own terms.

At the height of his career, Garcia holds victories over Hall of Famer Erik Morales (twice), his memorable, star-turning knockout of Amir Khan, and wins over Lucas Matthysse, Zab Judah and Nate Campbell. Since 2018, however, he is 4-2, with losses to Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr.

“The only thing I’m thinking about right now in my career is my legacy,” Garcia said. “I’ve got a lot going on, with my promotion company, my businesses. I’ve got real estate. I don’t think I have anything left to prove. I want to give back to other fighters. Beating Lara would definitely be the icing on the cake.”