The fact you don’t know who Hector Luis Garcia is doesn’t mean he isn’t a special fighter.
The Dominican insists that will become obvious when he takes on high-flying Chris Colbert as a late replacement in a 130-pound title eliminator Saturday night in Las Vegas (Showtime).
Garcia (14-0, 10 KOs) has a strong background. The 30-year-old southpaw fought in the 2016 Olympics, losing what he called an unjust decision in the opening round. And he has progressed nicely as a pro, including a wide decision over Isaac Avelar in his most-recent fight.
He expects more of the same against one of the hottest young fighters in the business even though he took the fight on two weeks notice, shortly after Roger Gutierrez pulled out with COVID-19.
“Fans really have no idea how good this is going to be because they haven’t seen me,” Garcia told Boxing Junkie through a translator. “I promise you it’s going to be so good. I can’t wait. I actually woke up today thinking, ‘Holy crap. It’s already fight week.’ I’m already pumped for everything that’s going to transpire, the press conference on Thursday, the weigh-in on Friday, getting in there on Saturday.
“I just can’t wait for everything to come so that I can have the best experience of my life.”
Garcia said he stays in fighting shape year round just in case an attractive opportunity presents itself. That’s what happened about a week and a half ago, when Gutierrez, the WBA titleholder, pulled out.
Will that be enough time for Garcia to prepare adequately for a fighter as gifted as Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs)? He responded to that question by asking whether Colbert will have had enough time to prepare for him.
“Let’s keep this in mind,” he said. “Colbert, when he found out, he had to switch up his whole preparation and prepare for me compared to his last opponent. In my case it was more about focusing on conditioning and being at a hundred percent because I was already training to face absolutely anything and everything.
“I can adapt to any kind of style. Colbert may be a skilled fighter but I’m convinced I’m even more skilled than he is. … In the end I believe I can show that my preparation can pay off in a big way.”
One advantage Garcia might have is his power, although two of his last three opponents (not counting a no-contest) took him the distance.
Garcia acknowledged his ability to hurt his opponents but said that is only one factor that will lead him to victory over Colbert. Boxing fans, he said, are going to learn a lot Saturday about what this Dominican brings to the ring.
“There are plenty of factors in my favor,” he said. “We’re going to determine what factors they are in the ring. I want you to know that I’m a complete fighter. The world is going to see me being a complete fighter.”