Author: Sean Close
Ryan Garcia made a victorious return to the ring in Houston on Saturday night, despite facing a tough challenge from Oscar Duarte, which left the fans disappointed at first. Garcia, 25, turned the tide in the eighth round of the junior welterweight bout, delivering a left hook to Duarte’s head, causing him to stumble and be counted out after a follow-up combo from Garcia.
Duarte’s lack of aggression and failure to lead with his jab allowed Garcia to take control of the fight. Despite receiving criticism from the crowd for his defensive tactics, Garcia maintained his composure and strategy, which ultimately led to his victory. Post-match, Garcia expressed his gratitude to God and his desire for others to turn to Jesus, and expressed interest in facing Laurie Romero and other notable opponents in his weight class. Notably, Garcia refrained from making negative comments about Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, with whom he has had public disagreements in the past. Questions about Garcia’s performance following his defeat in April were put to rest as he showcased an effective performance, if not a great one, in his comeback fight.
