Tonight is the night! After a brief break from major fights, there is a monumental showdown set for the evening of July 16 at the Crypto.com Arena. Rising star Ryan Garcia is set to put his undefeated record on the line against former super featherweight champion Javier Fortuna. If Garcia can continue with his winning ways, he could put himself in position for a major showdown against Gervonta “Tank” Davis later this year. In order to take on that challenge, he must get past Javier Fortuna, a former champion and seasoned veteran. Does Garcia have what it takes to win at Crypto.com Arena? Follow along with Def Pen Culture Editor Ryan Shepard as he offers his own analysis, puts together his own scorecard and compiles tweets from the brightest minds in the sport of boxing. It’s fight night!
Round One
Ryan’s Score: Garcia leads Fortuna (10-9)
Ryan’s Thoughts: Ryan Garcia is responsibly using his right hand as bait for Fortuna. He’s hoping that Fortuna will come rushing in, so he can land a hook. Through one round, he’s still working out the kinks, but he’s fighting confidently. As for Fortuna, he doesn’t look uncomfortable on the big stage. As a 13-year veteran, he’s calm and collected. There’s still time for him to establish himself later in the fight.
Boxing Twitter’s Analysis
- “Rd 1: Garcia 10-9 and not close. Good opening round for him,” boxing journalist Dan Rafael commented.
- “Strong first for Garcia, 10-9,” Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports noted.
Round Two
Ryan’s Score: Garcia leads Fortuna (20-18)
Ryan’s Thoughts: Garcia continues to his right hand as a range finder. With that said, it did offer a bit more power in round two. Midway through the round, Garcia seemed to hit Fortuna with a straight right hand and stun him. Fortuna is having difficulty with Garcia’s speed, but he’s managed to stay out of the way for the most part. Let’s see how round three plays out.
Boxing Twitter’s Analysis
- “Garcia looking good, takes round 2, 10-9. I have him up 20-18,” Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports tweeted.
- “Rd 2: Garcia 10-9. Easy work so far. Garcia landing nice straight right hands. 2-0,” veteran boxing journalist Dan Rafael added.
- “10-9 second for Garcia,” Sporting News Combat Sports Editor Daniel Yanofsky commented.
Round Three
Ryan’s Score: Garcia leads Fortuna (30-27)
Ryan’s Thoughts: Heading into tonight’s fight, Fortuna said that he needed to start quickly in order to give Garcia problems. However, it doesn’t appear that he’s going to take his own advice. While it’s hard to believe that it’s ever easy to fight an awkward, southpaw like Fortuna, Garcia is making it look somewhat easy. The young Californian is using right hand effectively, frustrating the veteran with his speed and avoiding any hard shots.
Boxing Twitter’s Analysis
- “Rd 3: Garcia 10-9. Snappy with his shots and Fortuna very tentative. 3-0 without question,” veteran boxing journalist Dan Rafael commented.
- “Garcia takes Round 3, 10-9. Fortuna needs to do something to change up the rhythm here, because Garcia is in command. 30-27 Garcia,” Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports explained.
Round Four
Ryan’s Score: Garcia leads Fortuna (40-35)
Ryan’s Thoughts: Garcia turned up the heat in round three. In addition to utilizing his right hand, Garcia continued to punish Fortuna with body shots. Over time, Garcia’s body work proved to be too much for the veteran fighter and sent him to the canvas. Following the knockdown, Fortuna decided to keep his hands at his side. It’s not quite an homage to Roy Jones Jr. Instead, it appears that he’s looking to protect his body from any more heavy shots from the young contender.
Boxing Twitter’s Analysis
- “Micky Ward-type body shot there for the knockdown by Garcia,” Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports stated.
- “Down goes Fortuna! Big left hook to the body set up by a feint. Ryan Garcia in total control in Round 4,” ESPN’s Mike Coppinger added.
- “Fortuna down on a body shot in rd 4,” legendary boxing journalist Dan Rafael chimed in.
Round Five
Ryan’s Score: Garcia leads Fortuna (50-43)
Ryan’s Thoughts: Fortuna may have entered the ring as the heavier fighter, but Garcia is proving to be the bigger, stronger boxer. The California native is using his reach and height to keep Fortuna where he wants him at all times. Having the advantage in almost every conceivable mature, he’s managed to work Fortuna to the body and put him down a second time.
Boxing Twitter’s Analysis
- “Second 10-8 round in a row for Garcia. Fortuna not long for this fight. It’s 50-43 for Garcia,” Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports tweeted.
- “Rd 5: Garcia 10-8 with a second knockdown. All Garcia. 5-0,” boxing insider Dan Rafael added.
Round Six
Ryan’s Score: Garcia def. Fortuna (TKO, 6)
Ryan’s Thoughts: As mentioned in the first round, Garcia used his right hand to set up a left hook. In the sixth round, he managed to land the punch he had been looking to land all night. Fortuna crumbled to the canvas and was unable to beat the count. Now, Garcia can move forward to a potential showdown with Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
Boxing Twitter’s Analysis
- “Hand speed + punch placement is exceptional,” The Corner Co-Host Andreas Hale said.
- “And that’s it! Ryan Garcia drops Fortuna with another left hook in the 6th round. He goes down to a knee and spits out his mouthpiece as ref counts him out. Totally dominant win. Nobody ever did that to Fortuna,” Dan Rafael, formerly of ESPN, wrote.
- “Ryan Garcia drops Javier Fortuna in Rounds 4, 5 and 6, and Fortuna takes the count on the final one. Impressive win for Garcia, who was much sharper than April. Bring on Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia,” ESPN’s Mike Coppinger commented.
