Ryan Garcia vs Javier Fortuna in LA

Ryan Garcia vs Javier Fortuna in LA

By Uppercut Magazine staff

(Photo by Al Applerose)

Target zero approaches for Ryan “KingRy” Garcia who makes his Los Angeles splash in defense of a regional title and more importantly a place in line against the super stars of the lightweight division.

The undefeated Garcia (22-0, 18 Kos) defends against Dominican Republic’s Javier Fortuna (37-3-1, 26 Kos) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on July 16, 2022. The Golden Boy Promotions card sponsored by Uncle Bud’s Hemp & CBD will be streamed by DAZN.

It’s a test for Garcia who seeks a world title clash with Gervonta “Tank” Davis one of the mega stars of the lightweight division. But first, he must defeat “El Abejon” which in Spanish means “The Drone.”

Fortuna carries firepower in those fists and fights in a southpaw stance like Tank. He’s the perfect preparation for Garcia who aspires to participate in big fights only. The Dominican has his own plans.

“A win over Ryan Garcia puts me back where I need to be to restart my career,” said Fortuna a former two-time world champion. “I will knock him out.”

Both were supposed to meet each other a year ago but the popular Southern California star was forced to pull out for personal reasons. He promises he’s more than ready now for Fortuna.

“Fortuna is trying to make it seem like I ducked him,” said Garcia at a recent press conference at the Crypto.com Arena. “When I connect, we’ll see who looks scared.”

Garcia fought last April in San Antonio, Texas where he soundly defeated Emmanuel Tagoe after flooring the African fighter in the second round. From that point on Garcia was on chase mode with little return fire.

He expects more from Fortuna.

“He’s just a rugged veteran and he’s going to try and get off his combinations,” said Garcia about his expectations of Fortuna.

The Dominican fighter last fought this past February against dangerous Venezuelan veteran Rafael Hernandez and ended the fight in the very first round by knockout.

Garcia views his fight with Fortuna as a perfect set up before facing Tank Davis before the year is over. He was in attendance in Brooklyn when Davis knocked out Rollie Romero with a single left cross counter in the sixth round. Davis and Garcia pointed at each other during that fight.

“After this fight, we’re going to go after Tank and beat his a--,” said Garcia. “That’s all I want. That’s all I see.”

Tickets are now available at AXS.com or GoldenBoyPromotions.com

Other bouts

Welterweight contender Alexis Rocha (19-1, 13 Kos) meets Samuel Kotey (23-3, 16 Kos) in the semi-main event at Crypto.com Arena.

Santa Ana’s Rocha last fought in March at the Galen Center where he defeated Blair Cobb via knockout in the main event.

A super featherweight clash features Lamont Roach Jr. (22-1-1, 9 Kos) meets Puerto Rico’s Angel Rodriguez (20-1, 10 Kos) in a WBA title eliminator set for 12 rounds.

A flyweight elimination bout pits Southern California’s Ricardo Sandoval (20-1, 15 Kos) against Costa Rica’s David Jimenez (11-0, 9 Kos) in a 12-round fight.

Diego De La Hoya (22-1, 10 Kos) returns to the prize ring after almost three years and meets Enrique Bernache (24-13, 12 Kos) in a featherweight bout. Both fought each other in 2019 in a fight that was stopped due to an accidental clash of heads. They meet again.