REMEMBER THE NAME
Boxing is all about the individual, but a champion is forged from a strong camp where family is paramount.
Ultimately, the sport is reliant upon teamwork - a trait which 20-year-old, junior lightweight Ryan Garcia has adopted from mentor, Eddy Reynoso in order to take things to the next level.
When asked about his plans to fight for a world title in 2019, Garcia spoke only of his new mentality...
"When that time comes, I will be prepared. This is a fight that I would love to have, but everything has a process - I'm going to trust my team. In the past, I would say 'let's do it right now', but I've learnt to take my time and instead, savour every moment."
"YOU NEED TO BE HUMBLED IN THIS SPORT, SO THAT YOU CAN REALISE THE VALUE OF THE POSITION THAT YOU'RE IN."
Garcia's rise throughout 2018 has been meteoric. He's captured the public's imagination like little else in recent memory. Backed by hordes of fans across social media, the 20-year-old has gone from relative unknown to one of the most recognisable in sport and popular culture.
"He can fight. He's got all the ability in the world," Golden Boy president Eric Gomez said. "He has hand speed, power, quickness, all the things you look for in a prospect. He just needs the experience and to be battle-tested."
"RYAN WILL WRITE HIS OWN STORY"
Saturday, December 15th, saw the start of what looks to be a never-ending anecdote, and should he emerge victorious on his next bout?
We've heard that a world title strap could soon be on the line. The effect ever-since, has been palpable.
Happened to miss out on the lightweight bout, originally slated for ten rounds? We've got the run-through right here.
Round 1: Garcia tries to find his range, winging a hard overhand and following-up with a left hook which puts Rodriguez down with 30 seconds to go in the round. Rodriguez gets to his feet just before the end of the 10-count. An explosion of offense from Garcia at the end of the round definitely did damage, landing multiple strong hooks flush.
Round 2: Two powerful left jabs from Garcia land right at the start of the round. Rodriguez throws some hard counters, both of which miss to try and get Garcia to back up. They tie up and Garcia connects with a hard overhand.
Round 3: Rodriguez is warned for wide hooks that go astray, and has a point taken away by the referee. Rodriguez is doing a lot of dancing and acting as though he’s dominating the fight, but he’s not landing anything of consequence. Garcia walks him down and powers through with heavy jabs. Rodriguez shakes his head after a beautiful, hard one-two from Garcia.
Round 4: Garcia lands a hard overhand right, and several big left jabs, before blitzing Rodriguez into the ropes with a flurry. Two hard hooks to the body from Garcia, then a left straight as he’s backing up lands flush on the temple.
Round 5: Rodriguez is swarmed by Garcia early in the round, eating two big right hands, the second of which sends him into the ropes, and a left hook puts him down. The referee counts him out. This one is done, and it wasn’t close - but it is another impressive showing from Garcia.
