KO artist and social media star Ryan Garcia returns to the ring against veteran Javier Fortuna on Saturday in Los Angeles.
RYAN GARCIA (22-0, 18 KOS) VS. JAVIER FORTUNA (37-3-1, 26 KOS)
- Date: Saturday, July 16
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m.. PT (main event later in show)
- Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
- TV/Stream: DAZN
- Cost: $19.99 per month or $149.99 annually
- Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
- Rounds: 12
- At stake: No major titles
- Pound-for-pound ranking: None
- Odds: Garcia 8-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
- Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Samuel Kotey, welterweights; Lamont Roach Jr. vs. Angel Rodriguez, junior lightweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. David Jimenez, flyweights
- Prediction: Garcia KO 8
- Background: Lightweight knockout artist Ryan Garcia continues his comeback against a tough, proven veteran in Javier Fortuna. Garcia, who left boxing for more than 15 months to deal with mental and physical issues, easily outpointed capable Emmanuel Tagoe in his return bout this past April to reenforce his reputation as a top 135-pounder. The 23-year-old social media star from the Southern California desert is a prime candidate to face the top fighters in the division, including titleholder Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko. He’ll first have to get past Fortuna, a 33-year-old one-time title contender from the Dominican Republic. Fortuna, who is based outside Boston, lost a wide decision to former beltholder Joseph Diaz Jr. for an interim title in July of last year. He rebounded to stop Rafael Hernandez in the first round in February. His only title shot came in 2018, when he lost a split decision to then-champion Robert Easter Jr.
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