The 24-year-old kept his unbeaten record as he won the fight on all three judges' scorecards, 116-112, 117-110 and 118-109.

Mexican Morales, 35, had been stripped of the title when he exceeded the weight of 140 pounds at Friday's weigh-in.

Garcia was the more aggressive fighter throughout the bout and decked Morales in the 11th round with a stinging left hook to the chin.

"It's been a long ride. We did it baby," said Garcia, who now has a 23-0 record.

"Everybody wants to be champion. I knew it was going to be a bloody war. I just couldn't let him take my dream away."

Morales said: "It was a difficult fight. His type of style gave me complications.

"I have got to think about my future. To fight at this level I really have to think about it because it is my health."