In a dazzling display of resilience and skill, Ryan Garcia made a triumphant return to the ring, delivering an eighth-round knockout to Oscar Duarte at the Toyota Center in Houston. The victory comes as a much-needed redemption for Garcia, who faced adversity both inside and outside the ring in recent months.
The bout showcased the "King Ry" that fans had come to know before his defeat to Gervonta Davis in April. Garcia, now under the tutelage of Derrick James in Dallas, exhibited the prowess that earned him respect in the boxing world with previous victories over Luke Campbell and Javier Fortuna.
Garcia's journey back to glory wasn't without its challenges. Parting ways with trainer Joe Goossen, relocating from Los Angeles to Dallas, and navigating a turbulent relationship with Golden Boy Promotions added layers of complexity to his comeback narrative.
Against Duarte, Garcia displayed a combination of stick-and-move boxing and powerful punches, controlling the fight with a varied arsenal. Duarte, a tough Mexican with limited skills, struggled to contend with Garcia's movement and precise strikes. Despite a brief resurgence from Duarte in the middle rounds, Garcia's superior technique prevailed.
The knockout blow came in the eighth round, a left hook to Duarte's temple, followed by a relentless flurry of punches. While Duarte valiantly attempted to rise, referee James Green intervened, signaling the end of the contest.
In his post-fight reflections, Garcia expressed gratitude to Derrick James for their successful collaboration in their inaugural bout together. Looking ahead, Garcia sets his sights on the deep junior welterweight division, calling out WBA titleholder Rolando Romero.
"This was our first fight together. We'll build off of this and get better. I'm committed to becoming a world champion," Garcia declared, outlining his ambitions for the future.
With the setback against Davis fading into the past and a renewed sense of purpose, Garcia aims to continue his journey toward the top. As he eyes potential matchups with the division's elite, Garcia remains focused on building his legacy step by step under the guidance of Derrick James.
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