Ryan Garcia scored the biggest win of his career as he survived a hard 2nd round knockdown and come back and stopped former world title challenger Luke Campbell and win the WBC Interim Lightweight championship at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
In round two, Campbell shockingly landed a perfect straight left to the jaw that sent Garcia to the canvas for the 1st time in his career. Garcia was able to steady himself and win the balance of the rounds.
In round seven, Garcia landed a vicious left to the body that sent Campbell down on all fours for the 10-count at 1:38.
Garcia, 135 lbs of Victorville, CA is now 21-0 with 18 knockouts. Campbell, 135 lbs of Hull, ENG is 20-4.
“My performance definitely showed a lot of people who I really am,” said Ryan Garcia. “Going into this fight I wanted to show people that you are not what people call you. You are what you choose to be. I chose to be a champion tonight. I didn’t let anything stop me from being a champion tonight. Even when he dropped me, I knew that couldn’t stop me from being champion.”
“I got too excited in the moment. I felt I could just walk him down, but he ended up cracking me. So, I had to adjust and calm down. I knew that I could beat him. I had to show that I was a warrior. I was a little dizzy with the knockdown, but I wasn’t worried. He’s not used to going forward, so I just knew I had to cover up.”
“He never fights coming forward, so I knew he would back up throughout the fight. I’m naturally a counterpuncher. But today I showed that I can be aggressive, go forward and take it to somebody. I showed I can take it to somebody and knock them out. God told me that it would end with a body shot, and that’s what happened. I want to thank God.”
On The Future:
“I want to be a man of my word. I want Gervonta “Tank” Davis. I am ready. People are worried about that one. I want Tank Davis. I would also fight Devin Haney, too.”
Luke:
“He’s very heavy handed. Even when I was blocking the shots, I could feel them. That was the hardest shot I was ever hit with. I tried and tried to get up, but I couldn’t. I felt him coming on, and I was moving back, and when you move back my body relaxed a little bit and that’s the exact time he hit me.”
He did so well to get up from the shot in the second round! I felt that through my arm and knew it was a beauty but all credit to him, he got up and show he’s got real heart.
It was a great fight and I knew I was right in the fight and thought I was having a good round in the seventh, but that was just a fantastic body shot. I was ready to attack again and he just timed the punch perfectly, I wanted to beat the count but just couldn’t, you just have to hold your hands up and say it was a great shot from a very talented fighter who is going to go a long way.
OSCAR QUOTE:
“This is the kind of fight where superstars are made. Down on the mat early for the first time in his career, Ryan got up, rallied, broke down his man and got the knockout. Everyone in the lightweight division should consider themselves on notice. 2021 will be the year of Ryan García.”
Gutierrez drops Alvarado 3 times; Wins 130 lb. Title
Roger Gutierrez won the WBA Super Featherweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Rene Alvarado
In round three, Gutierrez landed a hard uppercut that sent Alvarado to the canvas. Moments later, Gutierrez landed a big straight right that put Alvarado down a 2nd time. In round five, Gutierrez started to bleed over his left eyebrow.
Alvarado fought himself back in the fight, but Gutierrez may have sewed the fight up with a big left hook that sent Alvarado down for a 3rd time in the final round.
Alvarado landed 162 of 643 punches; Gutierrez landed 222 of 673.
Gutierrez, 129 lbs of Maricalbo, VEN won by scores of 114-113 on all cards, and is now 25-3-1. Alvarado, 129.4 lbs of Managua, NIC is 32-9.
The fight was a rematch of a fight that Alvarado stopped Gutierrez
Alvarado stops Kriel in 10; Retains Light Flyweight Title
Felix Alvarado defended his IBF Light Flyweight Title with a 10th round stoppage over former 105 pound champion Deejay Kriel.
In round two, Alvarado landed a big left hook that sent Kriel to the deck. In round four, it was almost the exact same scenario as Alvarado landed a hige left hook that put Kriel down again.
Kriel showed signs of coming back, but his punches were not enough to keep Kriel off of him. In round 10, Alvarado landed a series of punches that forced the referee stoppage at 1:39.
Alvarado, 107.4 lbs of Managua, NIC is 36-2 with 31 knockouts. Kriel, 107.4 lbs of Gautang, SA is 16-2-1.
“I knew this would be a tough fight,” said Felix Alvarado. “He was a mandatory challenger and a former world champion, so I knew it would be tough. I got a bit tired, but that was because of his experience. I also dropped him with a hook, and I didn’t even expect for a punch like that to land. But rather than keep looking for that punch, I kept pushing him to the ropes to wear him down. I’m very happy to obtain this win because it is a dream come true for the Alvarado brothers to fight on such a big card together. I want any of the other world champions so I can show who is the best in the division.”
Curiel stops Agaton in 2
Raul Curiel remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over late-replacement Ramses Agaton in a scheduled eight-round middleweight bout.
In round one, Curiel landed a hard left hook to the body that sent Agaton to the canvas. Curiel continued the onslaught in the 2nd round as Curiel landed a huge right and hand, and the towel was thrown in from Agaton’s corner at
Curiel, 153.2 lbs of Tamauilpas, MEX is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Agaton, 156.4 lbs of Mexico is 22-13-3.
“I felt really good and strong,” said Raul Curiel. “I felt that my opponent was a bit heavy. But I’m happy that I was able to deliver a great performance. I’m ready for any opponent that they bring to me at welterweight.”
Sean Garcia Decisons Marquez
Ryan Garcia’s brother Sean Garcia remained undefeated with a four-round majority decision over Rene Marquez in a lightweight bout.
Garcia landed 48 of 161 punches; Marquez was 30 of 185.
Garcia, 134.2 lbs of Victorville, CA won by scores of 39-37 twice and 38-38 and is now 6-0. Marquez, 134.4 lbs of Scottsbluff, NE is 5-6.
“There were so many things going as we went into this fight,” said Sean Garcia. “I was a bit nervous. I came off of a year-and-half layoff. I had to find my distance. It was also hard to land shots on him because of his unorthodox style. Now, I just have to keep training hard and learn from my mistakes.”
Alex Rincon remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Sergio Gonzalez in a middleweight fight.
Rincon, 155.4 lbs of Dallas won by scores of 60-54 scores and is now 8-0. Gonzalez, 155.8 lbs of Mexico is 6-8-1.
WBC//WBO Super Middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn won a eight-round unanimous decision over Ashleigh Curry in a non-title cruiserweight bout.
Dezurn, 171,4 lbs of Baltimore MD won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 7-1. Curry, 176.2 bs of Saint Joseph, MO is 8-14-4.
Asa Stevens made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over veteran Fancisco Bonilla in a bantamweight bout.
Stevens, 118.6 lbs of Waianae, HI won by scores of 39-37 on all cards and is now 1-0. Bonilla, 118 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 6-9-3.
Tristan Kalkreuth stopped Jorge Martinez in the opening round of ther four round cruiserweight bout.
Kalkreuth landed a hard right that dropped Martinez and the fight was over 50 seconds.
Kalkreuth, 194.3 lbs of Duncanville, TX is 7-0 with five knockouts. Martinez, 198.4 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 4-6.
