Ryan Garcia Vs Jose Lopez
"THIS WILL BE A CLASSIC BATTLE BETWEEN TWO YOUNG LIONS."
- Miguel Cotto, President of Miguel Cotto Promotions.
It's a lightweight bout, slated for 10 rounds. Catch the fight: March 30th at 9PM ET | 6PM PT, exclusively on DAZN.
UPDATE: FIGHT OVER BY SECOND-ROUND KO. READ ON FOR MORE.
Moments before Ryan Garcia stepped into the ring Saturday night, Oscar De La Hoya said that he needed to see the 20-year-old boxing phenom deliver a convincing victory to set up a possible world title shot this year. Garcia delivered just that to his 2.3 million Instagram followers by scoring a second-round knockout of Jose Lopez after Lopez's corner elected to not continue the bout following a vicious knockdown during the waning seconds of the round.
"My improvements are going to get better and better," said Garcia during his postfight interview after earning his second straight stoppage under the training of Eddy Reynoso.
"Do I think I'm ready for a world title this year?" he continued seconds later. "Hell, yes."
And Garcia (18-0, 15 KOs) has just the opponent in mind for that world title shot — WBA junior lightweight champion Gervonta Davis.
He might not speak Spanish but Gymshark Athlete, Ryan Garcia knows what it takes to become a champion.
PASSION | PRIDE | SPEED | POWER | HERITAGE
Holding a perfect professional record - winning all 17 of his fights, with 14 coming from KO's - the undefeated super featherweight, Ryan Garcia, looks to turn up the heat as he steps into the ring to face Jose Lopez at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, California this coming Saturday.
A win will see “The Flash” move one step closer to a world title shot, and take his professional record to 18-0-0.
Whether you appreciate his code of conduct or consider him loud and excessive, there's no denying it - Garcia is notorious for speaking every thought that crosses his mind. But, that all seems to have changed after aligning with new trainer, Alvarez's cornerman, Eddy Reynoso late last year. Eager to see how his second bout under a new fight camp will end - this is set to be an entertaining, edge of the sofa fight that will have you gripped until the very end.
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."
Garcia's development from popular prospect to a serious lightweight contender was seen under the hot lights of New York's Madison Square Garden late last year when he returned to action and fought on the Canelo Alvarez undercard.
The result? Golden Boy Prospect, Garcia, to remain unbeaten with a fifth round knockout of Braulio Rodriguez on the Canelo-Rocky card.
With two heavy punchers entering the ring in this super featherweight bout, Garcia will be out to test the vulnerability of his opponent's chin, while Lopez will be looking to play on his experience and control the fight.
Question is, who is set to have the upper-hand?
