Ryan Garcia bounced back from defeat to Gervonta Davis last time out with an eighth round knockout of Oscar Duarte in Houston, Texas on Saturday.
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) finally broke the tough resistance of Duarte (26-2-1, 21 KOs) with a left hook and a follow-up attack floored him with the Mexican failing to beat referee James Green’s ten count, despite his protests.
Much of the fight week build-up centered around an explosive pre-fight press conference which saw Garcia slam his promoters at Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins.
Despite a devastating loss to Davis in the seventh round of their super fight in April, Garcia who replaced Joe Goossen with Derrick James as his head trainer, made a bright start and appeared to establish his rhythm from the outset.
Duarte was predicted to pose the 25-year-old problems and marched towards Garcia in the second landing a solid left hook in what proved the highlight of the round.
‘King Ry’ was letting his hands go with vigour in the third, but invited openings from Duarte with his uncharacteristic, shoulder roll-type style presenting the Mexican with opportunities to head and body.
Garcia’s natural athleticism and speed made him a difficult target to pin down and the 27-year-old was warned by the referee in the fourth for hitting behind the head.
However, the visitor was having more success as the rounds passed, particularly in the fifth which saw him rein in blows on Garcia, particularly to his body.
𝐇𝐄’𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 😤@RyanGarcia 🔥#Boxing #GarciaDuarte #RyanGarcia pic.twitter.com/DxFOrKRtVS
— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) December 3, 2023
The Californian scored with some accurate right hands in the seventh, but opted to box mainly on the backfoot, an approach which was greeted by large boos inside the Toyota Center.
Garcia found the breakthrough he desired though in the eighth, countering Duarte with a left hook as the Mexican marched towards him.
Ryan Garcia hurts Oscar Duarte and he couldn’t beat the ref’s count! THAT’S IT!!! This fight is OVER!#GarciaDuarte | LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/crQGUED6iP
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) December 3, 2023
The blow left him on unsteady legs and Garcia fired in further combinations, which sent him to the canvas.
Duarte rose to his feet, but not in time according to the referee who reached the count of ten, to ensure a winning return for Garcia and a first stoppage defeat for the Mexican.
‘King Ry’ is touted to face the winner of next week’s WBC super lightweight title fight between Devin Haney and Regis Prograis, although he called for a clash with WBA titlist, Rolando Romero and made reference to his contentious win over Ismael Barroso in May.
“I’m committing to become a world champion,” he told DAZN.
“If Rollies wants that, bring it on Rollies.
“I know you talk a lot.
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“Let’s get that going Rollies. Where you at?
“You got beat by that old dude. We know what happened.”
Schofield destroys Torres in one round
Top lightweight prospect, Floyd Schofield dropped Ricardo Lopez Torres three times in a first round demolition.
Schofield’s superior speed and athleticism was evident from the first bell and Torres (17-8-3, 12 KOs) was down moments into the round with a devastating left hook.
BANG BANG 🔥
BACK TO BACK 😮💨😮💨😮💨
#GarciaDuarte | LIVE on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/vkAn6b5l2n
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) December 3, 2023
The Mexican bravely rose to his feet, but ‘Kid Austin’ sensed an early finish and reined in further combinations to send him to the canvas for a second time.
Schofield (16-0, 12 KOs) was unrelenting and dropped Torres twice more before the referee finally put him out of his misery.
Mosley Jr marches past Conley
Shane Mosley Jr edged closer to a middleweight world title shot after Joshua Conley retired on his stool following six rounds.
Mosley Jr (21-4, 12 KOs) largely dominated proceedings and Conley (17-6-1, 11 KOs) stumbled back to his corner at the end of round six, without making it out for the seventh round.
The legacy continues.
New champion @1ShaneMosleyJr lands devastating blows on his way to a big win and title.#GarciaDuarte #UnrivalledOnDAZN pic.twitter.com/n973aytJ4M
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 3, 2023
Mosley Jr secured his fourth straight victory since defeat to Jason Quigley, while Conley suffered his third consecutive loss.
Remaining Undercard
Heavyweight prospect Darius Fulghum made it nine straight wins with as many knockouts after halting Pachino Hill (8-5-1, 6 KOs) in two rounds.
Fulghum (9-0, 9 KOs) unloaded a volley of punches without reply and referee Mark Calo-oy waved off the contest.
Elsewhere, Ryan’s younger brother, Sean Garcia (7-0-1, 2 KOs) scored a knockdown on route to a points win over Joseph Johnson (3-2-1) at lightweight and 19-year-old Mexican overcame previously unbeaten American Alejandro Dominguez with an impressive first round stoppage at bantamweight.