LOS ANGELES — Danny Garcia defeated Robert Guerrero by a unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC welterweight title Saturday at Staples Center.

Guerrero (33-4-1, 18 knockouts) took the fight to Garcia (32-0, 18 KOs), moving forward the entire fight. However, it was Garcia who landed the cleaner, harder shots. That undoubtedly swayed the judges, all three of whom scored the fight exactly the same: 116-112, or eight rounds to four. I also had it 116-112.

Guerrero was only 2-2 going into the fight, leading some to believe he was in decline. However, he looked sharp and fit playing the role of the pursuer. That was OK with Garcia, who was content to counterpunch. He waited for opportunities and them seized them, landing perfect shots to the head time and again.

Garcia seemed to take firm control in a one-sided sixth round, during which he landed as many as a dozen powerful punches to the head that would’ve stopped a lesser opponent. Neither fighter was hurt seriously.

A full report will follow shortly.