Ryan Garcia stopped former world champion Javier Fortuna in round six of a scheduled 12-round junior welterweight bout at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
In round four, Garcia dropped Fortuna with a left to the body. In round five, it was another hook to the body that put Fortuna down again. In round six, Garcia ended it with….you guessed it, another left hook but this was to the side of the head and the fight was stopped at 1:27.
Garcia, 140 lbs of Victorville, CA is now 24-0 with 19 knockouts. Fortuna, 139.8 lbs of Lo Romana, CA is 37-4-1.
“I want to thank God first and foremost,” said Ryan Garcia. “I know that I performed well for myself. I was crisp, 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, just like tonight. Fortuna hit hard, he has a hard fist. Like I said when I fight stronger opponents, I box better. Yes, I caught him with a body shot. He thought I was going for the head but I switched it on him. I felt he was going to throw the Luke Campbell shot [the shot that dropped Ryan against Campbell]. I feel like everyone is going to try to hit me with that shot. I hit hard so it doesn’t take much to hurt someone.”
“It felt like [I made] a statement to come back to the timeline I was at. Mental health is a time to reflect on yourself and get better for the future. That’s not weakness, that’s strength! That’s courage! You saw me today when I stepped in the ring. That’s nothing but courage and skill.”
“I felt way better at this weight. I’m not going down to 135 for nothing. But I will fight Tank next if he wants it at 140. I’ll make sure to record all the negotiations so you can’t say I was ducking. I want that fight because it’s going to give me the respect I deserve. I’m never afraid. I have a spirit of competition in me and you’re going to see that come out when I fight Tank and whoop his ass.”
Rocha Decisions Veron
Alexis Rocha won a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Veron in a welterweight bout.
Rocha landed 171 of 620 punches; Veron was 72 of 313.
Rocha, 146.8 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 20-1. Veron, 146 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 19-5-2.
“My strategy for this fight was to go in there and break him down,” said Alexis Rocha. “I knew he was going to be a durable fighter; he gets hit and stays there. Once that happened in the fight I knew he was just going to survive. Training is always great with my team, they’re always pushing me. I went there with a game plan and I followed it the best I could. It feels good fighting in front of a big crowd here at the Crypto Arena. Having my Santa Ana crowd behind me, it made me feel good. Onto the next level now.”
Roach Jr. Decisions Rodriguez
Former world title challenger Lamont Roach Jr. scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Angel Rodriguez in a super featherweight bout.
Roach landed 241 of 580 punches; Rodriguez was 120 of 502.
Roach, 129.8 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice and is now 23-1-1. Rodriguez, 129.2 lbs o Barranquilla, COL is 20-2.
“My strategy was to stay tight and keep the pressure on him,” said Lamont Roach Jr. “We knew it would break him down. He was a tall and lanky fighter so we were watching out for the looping shots. He had a nice 1-2, the ones that landed I let him. He was really good defensively, but if we would’ve kept the punch output higher I would have stopped him. He was very evasive.”
“He’s an amazing fighter, extremely intelligent,” said Angel Rodriguez. “He knows how to work his rival and always keep his composure even when getting hit. In these events it’s them who decide who wins and as an athlete I’d fight him again. We tried to win but he simply came with better preparation and strategy, that’s why he took the victory.”
Jimenez Decisions Sandoval
David Jimenez scored an upset by winning a 12-round majority decision over Ricardo Sandoval in a flyweight bout.
In round seven, Jimenez was deducted a point for holding. In round two, Jimenez dropped Sandoval with a short right hook.
Sandoval landed 249 of 712 punches; Jimenez was 163 off 599, but the knockdown seemed to be the difference in the outcome.
Jimenez, 111.2 lbs of Cartago, CRI won by scores of 114-112 twice and 113-113 is now 12-0. Sandoval, 111.8 lbs of Rosito, CA is 20-2.
“I’m happy and grateful for this new victory,” said David Jimenez. “We executed our game plan perfectly. In the first 6 rounds it was a lot of movement and aiming. After the 6th round I started to take advantage. My rival was very tough and stubborn. He has a lot ahead of him. I’m going to go home after this victory and spend time with my family then get back into the gym.”
“I felt like I was boxing him correctly so I feel very good,” said Ricardo Sandoval. “I was also countering him downstairs and upstairs. But you know these things happen. I felt like I won the fight. The people won tonight and got one hell of a fight.”
Omar Collazo won a 12-round unanimous decision over Victorio Saludar in a WBA Minimumweight Elimination bout.
In round seven, each scored knockdowns. Collazo dropped Saludar with a body shot. Saludar answered back by dropping Collazo with an uppercut.
Collazo, 105 lbs of Villalba, PR won by scores of 118-110 and 116-112 twice and is now 5-0. Saludar, 104,2 lbs of Misamia, PHL is 21-6.
“It was a tough fight. I had to use my whole toolbox,” said Oscar Collazo. “My opponent was powerful and experienced; he’s a veteran in the sport. But, thanks to my corner, I got in the ring and fought round by round. A world championship is next. I want to be a champion.”
Diego De La Hoya stopped Enrique Bernache in round four of their 10-round featherweight fight.
De La Hoya dominated the action and in round four, landed a barrage of punches in the corner that forced a referee stoppage at 2:51.
De La Hoya, 126 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is now 23-1 with 11 knockouts. Bernahce, 125.2 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 24-14.
“I felt thrilled to be back, said Diego De La Hoya. “I haven’t fought in two years, so I felt great. My opponent was tough. I’ll probably fight again in September. Hopefully, I will fight for a championship soon.”
Miguel Gaona remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Abdiel Padilla in a super lightweight fight.
In round one, Gaona dropped Padilla with a body shot. Seconds later it was another body shot that put Padilla down again for the 10-count at 1:25.
Gaona, 138.6 lbs of Los Angeles is 3-0 with two knockouts. Padilla, 136 lbs of Caguas, PR is 1-3.
