By Sean Jones: Ryan Garcia says the new date for his rescheduled fight against Britain’s Luke Campbell is expected to be announced soon for December 19th, live on DAZN, possibly in San Antonio, Texas.
The undefeated #3 WBC lightweight contender Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) and #2 WBC Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) had been set to fight on December 5th, but Luke tested positive for COVID-19, and the fight needed to be rescheduled.
Garcia, 22, wants to beat Campbell and then face WBA ‘regular’ lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis next in the first half of 2021 in what will likely be a dual platform show on DAZN and Showtime. We’ll have to see if that happens.
Campbell, 33, could spoil things for Garcia if he beats him in December, as he needs this victory to move ahead with his career to take on WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney. Luke has failed on the three times he’s stepped it up against Yvan Mendy, Jorge Linares, and Vasily Lomachenko.
Ryan Garcia vs. Luke Campbell in December
“The fight against Luke Campbell is going to be announced real soon,” said Ryan Garcia on social media. “They’re rescheduling in December. It’s got to be. It’s a good, good fight.
“Whole Texas has got to show up. The lightweight division is a big one; it’s the biggest division in the world. Yeah, guys, I wanted to hop online. This fight [with Campbell] is going to be scheduled.
“Don’t worry; this fight is not canceled. Whatever you read, it’s not true, and that’s that. This fight is going to be rescheduled, and then we’re going to get it on. ‘When is your next fight?’ December 19th. ‘What part of Texas? We’re thinking San Antonio.
“I can’t wait to get in the ring. I can’t wait to fight, and I think it’s going to be in a stadium around there. It might be limited capacity in San Antonio, but we’re still going to have fans there.
“My speed, I’ve got to save it for the fight. I’ve never fought in Texas, so this should be a good one. I know boxing is big in Texas,” said King Ryan.
Garcia needs to work on his right hand because he’s too overreliant on his left hook to do most of the damage in his fights. King Ryan’s right limb has become almost a vestigial structure like the hands of a T-Rex. He has no power in his right hand, and it’s just something he throws to keep his opponents honest.
If Ryan is going to beat Campbell, he’s got to have more than just a left hook. He needs a jab and, more importantly, a right hand. Ryan has stopped his last four opponents with knockouts over these fringe-level fighters:
- Francisco Fonseca
- Romero Duno
- Jose Lopez
- Braulio Rodriguez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIzbzK-td2A&t=7s
Garcia using Campbell to prove himself
“That’s something I’m really looking forward to, being around that kind of atmosphere,” said Garcia. “This is going to be a good one. I’ve got Luke Campbell in front of me.
“Obviously, he’s one of the top fighters in the division. I’m basically bringing in all the frustration and that chip on my shoulder that people say that, ‘You’re just an Instagram fighter.
“You’re just this, and you’re just that.’ This is my chance to prove that I’m here forever. I can’t wait for you guys to see. Look out for the announcement real soon; it’s coming. The new era is here, and the new area is me,” said Ryan Garcia.
Campbell is taking credit for putting some wear on former WBA/WBC/WBO lightweight champion Vasily Lomachenko before Teofimo Lopez fought him.