Oh, what a night it was at the Toyota Center! “King” Ryan Garcia, the international sensation with a record of 24-1, including 20 KOs, showed the world he’s not just back, but he’s in it to win it. Garcia claimed the WBA Gold Title, much to the delight of an ecstatic crowd of over 10,000 fans. His eight-round triumph over Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte, who hails from Parral, Chihuahua and boasts a record of 26-2-1, was nothing short of a knockout performance.
Facing a boxer of Garcia’s caliber, Duarte was more than a tough challenge. The fight, eagerly watched by over 10,000 fans and broadcast globally on DAZN, went on for eight grueling rounds, showcasing Duarte’s unwavering spirit and toughness.
The resilience of Duarte was the highlight of the night. Garcia, known for his quick knockouts, found himself in a deep battle against Duarte’s relentless defense and counterattacks. Duarte absorbed Garcia’s powerful blows and kept pushing forward, round after round. It’s one thing to step into the ring with a high-profile boxer; it’s entirely another to hold your ground and push them to their limits. Duarte did just that.
This fight wasn’t just a physical battle; it was a mental one too. Duarte displayed a boxer’s most important quality – heart. He didn’t back down, didn’t show signs of intimidation. Instead, he stood toe-to-toe with Garcia, making it clear he wasn’t there just to participate; he was there to compete.
In the aftermath of the fight, even Garcia acknowledged Duarte’s heart. It was a recognition that Duarte wasn’t just a stepping stone but a substantial hurdle. This fight has undoubtedly added a new layer of respect for Duarte in the boxing community. It’s fighters like him who elevate the sport, showing that heart and perseverance are just as important as a winning record.
Post-fight, Garcia was all about ambition, eyeing a world championship and setting his sights on Rolly Romero next. He acknowledged Duarte’s toughness, expecting an earlier win, but Duarte was more resilient than anticipated. Garcia and his coach Derrick see this as a building block for future success.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Floyd Schofield, the WBA Lightweight International Champion, made quick work of Ricardo “Explosivo” Torres. Schofield, with an unblemished record of 16-0, took just 1:51 in the first round to defend his title. Scheduled for 10 rounds, Schofield sent Torres, hailing from Tijuana, Mexico, to the canvas thrice, prompting the referee to halt the contest.
Shane Mosley Jr. added to his win tally, now standing at 21-5, by securing the WBA Continental Americas Middleweight Title. His opponent, Joshua Conley from San Bernardino, couldn’t withstand Mosley’s onslaught, retiring at the start of the seventh round in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
Houston’s very own Darius Fulghum made his mark in front of his hometown crowd. In an eight-round bout, Fulghum, a rising knockout artist now with a 9-0 record, clinched the WBA Continental USA Super Middleweight Title by defeating Pachino “Chino” Hill in just the second round.
The preliminary card wrapped up with Asa “Ace” Stevens from Waianae, Hawaii, maintaining his undefeated record against Dominique Griffin of Irving, Texas. The super bantamweight fight, lasting four rounds, ended with Stevens (6-0) getting a unanimous nod from the judges.
Gael “El Terror” Cabrera, a former Mexican Olympian and a promising bantamweight, made short work of Alejandro Dominguez, finishing him off with a TKO in the first round. The fight, slated for four rounds, barely passed the two-minute mark.
Not to be outdone by his star brother, Sean Garcia kept his record spotless with a victory over Joseph Johnson in a super lightweight bout. The judges unanimously favored Garcia, scoring the fight convincingly in his favor.
Kicking off the fight night, Danilo Diez from Cape Coral, Florida, made his professional debut a memorable one. Facing Jose Valenzuela of Puebla, Mexico, Diez earned a unanimous decision victory in a four-round welterweight fight.
