Ryan Garcia’s comeback fight in Houston did not go according to plan. The crowd’s response was far from encouraging, as Garcia was met with boos. Throughout the second half of the fight, it seemed like Garcia was on a path to victory by avoiding his opponent, Oscar Duarte, and only occasionally throwing punches. This lackluster performance was certainly not what the fans had hoped for.
Fortunately for Garcia, he managed to turn the boos into cheers with a single left to Duarte’s head in the eighth round. The blow caused Duarte to wobble, desperately trying to stay on his feet. However, Garcia swiftly followed up with a combination that sent the courageous Mexican fighter to the canvas. The referee began the count, and despite Duarte possibly getting up before the count of ten, the decision to end the fight was justified. It was clear that Duarte was in no condition to continue.
One of the major issues throughout the bout was Duarte’s failure to utilize his jab effectively. In contrast, Garcia was allowed to pick Duarte apart as he saw fit. Although Garcia rocked Duarte in the sixth round, it was astounding to see Garcia repeatedly turn his back for self-defense throughout the fight. When Duarte did manage to land a punch, it was often directed at Garcia’s midsection. This may explain why Garcia resorted to evasive tactics in the seventh and part of the eighth round, much to the dismay of the crowd. Despite the boos, it was clear that Garcia had a strategy in mind.
After the fight, Garcia took the opportunity to express gratitude to God and encouraged people to turn to Jesus. Surprisingly, he refrained from speaking ill of Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, both of whom he has had very public feuds with. In addition, Garcia expressed his desire to face other notable figures in his weight class, including Rolly Romero. This highlights his determination to continue climbing the ranks, even after his loss to Gervonta Davis in April.
Despite the eventual win, it cannot be denied that Garcia’s performance in Houston fell short of expectations. While it may not have been a spectacular display of skill and finesse, it did prove to be effective in securing the victory. This raises questions about Garcia’s future matches and whether he can truly reclaim his former glory.
Ryan Garcia’s return to the ring left much to be desired in terms of his overall performance. Although he managed to turn the tide in the eighth round and secure a win, his lackluster display and questionable defensive tactics were clear weaknesses. Moreover, while Garcia exhibited sportsmanship by refraining from negativity towards his boxing honchos, his focus on his faith and desire to face top contenders demonstrates his steadfast determination to prove himself in the ring. Only time will tell if Garcia can truly regain his previous form and stand amongst the titans of his weight class.
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