GARCIA – TAGOE LIVE SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH, FROM SAN ANTONIO’S ALAMODOME, EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN
Weights: Ryan Garcia 138.8 vs. Emmanuel Tagoe 138.2
Gabe Rosado 167.8 vs. Shane Mosley Jr. 167
Marlon Esparza 111.4 vs. Naoko Fujioka 111.6
Azat Hovhannisyan 124.2 vs. Dagoberto Aguero 122.8
Ghanian boxer Emmanuel Tagoe has signed a co-promotional deal with Probellum and DiBella Entertainment – and he is ready to cause a major upset.
Tagoe heads to Texas on Saturday night to face the returning Ryan Garcia, one of the unbeaten stars of a lightweight division brimming with talent.
A former IBO title holder, Tagoe will start as an underdog but ‘The Gameboy’ – widely considered one of the top 10 fighters at 135lbs – cares little about the odds and the man from the proud boxing city of Accra is in a “dangerous” mood.
Garcia is being groomed as the heir to the lightweight throne, but Tagoe is refusing to kneel to ‘King Ry’.
“Nobody is expecting me to win this fight but mark my words; there is an upset on the cards in San Antonio this weekend,” declared Emmanuel Tagoe (32-1, 15KO).
“I respect Garcia’s ability but he’s accepted a challenge against one of the best fighters in the 135lbs division and, let me tell you, it’s a whole different ball game at this level.
“Saturday night will mark the second stage of my career and with the backing of Probellum and DiBella Entertainment, I am determined to show the world what Ghanian fighters are all about.”
Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum, said: “History has shown that Ghana produces world class boxers and Emmanuel Tagoe will remind everyone of that fact in Texas this weekend.
“For Probellum to be able to co-promote Emmanuel and help him reaffirm his position as a flag bearer for boxing in his homeland, is as real honour for our company.
“He is in a brilliant fight with Ryan Garcia and we believe that Tagoe will shock the world on Saturday night.”
“Emmanuel Tagoe is one of the top boxing talents from Ghana and is on a 32-fight winning streak,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.
“He is hungry, determined and dangerous as he enters the biggest fight of his life against Ryan Garcia.
“The attention that Probellum is paying to the Ghanaian boxing scene makes them a natural co-promoter for Emmanuel as his career progresses through Garcia and beyond.”
Probellum, the fastest growing brand in the sport, has agreed a promotional partnership with Box Office Sports Promotions in Ghana and signed one of the hottest prospects in the country, the unbeaten Alfred Lamptey.
Ryan Garcia quotes & photos for Tagoe fight on DAZN on April 9th
Undefeated boxing sensation, Ryan Garcia (21-0, 18KOs) of Victorville, CA, hosted a media workout today ahead of his scheduled match against Ghana’s Emmanuel “The Gameboy” Tagoe (32-1, 15 KOs) on April 9th.
The 12-round, lightweight Texas showdown will take place at San Antonio’s historic Alamodome on Saturday, April 9th, and will be streamed worldwide on DAZN.
Today, Ryan showed the media all the hard work he put in ahead of his fight. Also, Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy, and Joe Goossen were in attendance to support Ryan and talk about his return to the ring on April 9th.
RYAN GARCIA, LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“Now I’m at the point where I will do excellently when I get into the ring. I’ve done all the promotions I can. I’m going to be the best I can be. You have to trust that gut feeling which most guys don’t.
“I knew Joe Goossen would be a perfect fit for me. He’s someone I can relate to, and we have good chemistry. He’s old school, and I love that part of the game.
“I’m always stalking my opponent. That’s my fighting style. Make sure I’m countering whenever an opportunity presents itself.
“I got knocked out for the first time, and I took it well. I reacted the way I imagined I would.
“I’m pretty good at fighting more petite guys. [Tagoe] is a little shorter, and he likes to box.
“Fighters always try to pressure me. We’ll see since I don’t know too much about this guy. I’ll stay calm and surgically break him down or knock him out. I have pretty good timing and accuracy. I think that has separated me from other fighters.
“My power has been coming out more effortlessly. I’m also not getting as tired. Everything’s coming together.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GOLDEN BOY:
“He’s fighting a guy who has nothing to lose,“ said Oscar De La Hoya. “I think Ryan needs to come out and make a point but do it smart and careful. Ryan knows what he is doing. He’s a professional. He’s been there before, so it will be an interesting fight. Joe Goossen has been in the game for so many years. I’m glad they made the connection.”
JOE GOOSSEN, TRAINER TO RYAN GARCIA:
“I knew he had something special. He’s attacking this like he’s obsessed and possessed. We got along, and something about him appealed to me personality-wise and fighting-wise. I’m genuinely impressed.”
