Ryan Garcia KOs Javier Fortuna With Three Punches
Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia maintained his unbeaten record in front of a passionate crowd at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Saturday night. ‘King Ry’ Garcia delivered a spectacular performance against former two-time world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (37-4-1, 26 KOs) and stopped him by sixth-round knockout.
With this victory, Ryan Garcia improved to 23-0 and recorded his 19th knockout by stopping the shorter, slower Fortuna. The 23-years-old was away for more than a year after defeating Luke Campbell in January 2021 when he decided to step away from the sport with mental health problems. That layoff was extended when he had to undergo surgery to resolve a hand injury. He returned to the ring earlier this year when he defeated Emmanuel Tagoe, but Javier Fortuna was seen as a step up in quality.
Garcia was unable to stop his Ghanaian opponent in his previous outing but sent Fortuna to the canvas three times, stopping him with a third and final knockdown in the sixth round.
“I know that I performed well for myself,” Garcia said.
“And I know that I was crisp, I was sharp and I stayed in my truth. I didn’t do anything crazy. I know how good of a fighter I am. I just had to put it all together and you seen that come together today. … I mean, the fight speaks for itself. I don’t need to say anything. You seen how I fought.”
The 23-year-old American explained how Fortuna had drawn a better performance from him than Tagoe.
“He hit hard,” he explained.
“He has a hard fist. I just told you when I face harder punchers, I box better.”
Garcia Stopped Fortuna by Three Punches
Ryan Garcia gave Javier Fortuna the beating he promised Saturday night. The hard-hitting lightweight contender dropped Fortuna three times – once apiece in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds – on his way to a sixth-round knockout. Referee Jerry Cantu counted out Fortuna after Garcia sent him to the canvas a third time with a left hook 19 seconds into the sixth round. Their 12-round fight, which was contested at a 140-pound limit, was officially stopped at 27 seconds of round six.
Ryan Garcia stopped Javier Fortuna by a three-punch combination in sixth round.
Few knew what to expect between Fortuna and Garcia except that it was the Southern Californian’s toughest fight yet. He had never faced a world champion before and though he had promised an easy victory, seasoned fighters have their own set of tricks to the trade. Garcia, who fought for the second time with trainer Joe Goossen in his corner, didn’t need nearly 12 rounds to defeat Fortuna.
Garcia opened up quickly behind a strong and lightning left jab. He also maintained a disciplined distance for most of the fight. Fortuna was cautious and waiting for Garcia to relax and give up the distance, but that moment never came. Then he tried to roughhouse (as he’s known to do) but wasn’t all that successful. His offense was otherwise sporadic and not very effective.
Instead of the patented check left hook that Garcia is known for, he worked behind a lead right cross to open up Fortuna’s defense. It worked until the second round but Fortuna found an opening and caught Garcia with an overhand right. The crowd booed the powerful Fortuna punch. Fortuna had disposed of twenty-six foes in his previous fights.
About midway through the fourth round, Garcia put Fortuna down with a vicious body shot not too dissimilar from the punch that knocked Luke Campbell out. Cleverly and cynically, Fortuna beat the count and bought himself extra time by spitting out his mouthpiece. Garcia didn’t go all-out for the finish but he did shake Fortuna twice more with hooks.
In the fifth round, Garcia cornered Fortuna again and launched a three-punch combination. A left hook to the head collapsed Fortuna again. That was a heavy knockdown and Fortuna was definitely hurt. Fortuna did catch Garcia with a right hand that live looked like it stunned him, but Garcia was more off balance than actually hurt.
Garcia was in full hunt mode in the sixth and Fortuna realized it. The Southern California fighter had a look of calm but was intent on finishing the fight. A sizzling three-punch combination connected and Fortuna was counted out this time by Referee Jerry Cantu at 27 seconds of the sixth round.
“First, before I do anything I want to look up and thank God,” said Garcia. “The fight speaks for itself. I don’t need to say anything else.”
Many had questioned Garcia’s willingness to fight and opinions varied on what his true goal was as a pro boxer.
“They said I was a guy that didn’t care about boxing. You seen today when I step in the ring I take all the negativity out and make it into a positive,” said Garcia about the constant criticisms. “I will fight Tank next.”
“That’s going to give me the respect that I deserve,” Garcia explained. “I have a spirit of competition and you’re going to see that when I fight Tank.” Garcia told when asked why he wants Tank Davis.
Garcia did what he had to do against a heavy underdog and was impressive in the process, but at this stage of his career, it’s obvious that he needs a truly big fight against one of the division’s elite to really test just how great he is. In the post-fight interview with DAZN’s Chris Mannix, ‘KingRy’ called out WBA “regular” champion Gervonta Davis (27-0, 25 KOs) for his next fight. Davis is supposedly a contractual free agent after his deal with Mayweather Promotions ended with his recent KO of Rolando Romero in May. We’ll see if this fight does get made and if it does it would be a massive bout both for relevance and money.
The Saturday night win by Garcia possibly sets up a pivotal match with burgeoning superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis whose penchant for spectacular knockout wins makes boxing fans salivate at the possibilities of a clash with Garcia. It would be star power versus star power.
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