Indio, Ca.– The Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino exploded with high-pitched screams as young fans watched 2017 ESPN’s Prospect of the Year and Instagram sensation Ryan “The Flash” Garcia make his flashy entrance to the ring.
In his first fight at 135lbs against resilient contender Carlos “The Solution” Morales, Garcia displayed decent ability to remain composed in moments in which he seemed overwhelmed over Morales’ pressure. After 12 rounds of action, Garcia won a majority decision, with one of the judges calling the bout a draw.
In the early rounds, both fighters seemed cautious while trying to land precise punches. Garcia (16-0, 13 KOs) missed plenty of shots, while Morales landed the more effective punches that popped Garcia’s head backward. Garcia remained calm and established his jab as Morales (17-3-3, 6 KOs) continued to come forward.
Photo credit: Luis Mejia (@Lmejiaphotography)
By the middle rounds, Garcia appeared to have found his rhythm, getting the better of the exchanges and causing Morales’ nose to bleed and his face to swell. However, Garcia’s stamina lacked in the following rounds as well as his head movement. Morales took advantage of his tired opponent to press his punches causing Garcia to clinch and constantly fight backward.
In the seventh round, Morales landed a beautiful left hand that momentarily stunned Garcia, yet failed to follow up with anything significant due to Garcia’s constant clinching for the remainder of the round. Though clearly gassed out, Garcia remained disciplined and not engaging in reckless exchanges in desperation of scoring a knockdown.
Photo credit: Luis Mejia (@Lmejiaphotography)
Though Morales pressed the action in the final rounds, Garcia edged out a majority decision win with two judges scoring the bout 98-92 and one scoring it a draw at 95-95. Post-fight however, Garcia told the media the commission clarified the tied scorecard, claiming the announcer had read it wrong and he had actually won a unanimous decision.
“I talked to one of the commissions,” Garcia told the media post-fight. “They got the scores wrong. It wasn’t a draw, it was 96 something, so it was a unanimous decision.”
When asked about how he felt after going the distance in this fight, Garcia replied he felt more fatigued than usual.
“I felt fatigued from like really early on,” Garcia said. “My punches weren’t snapping off like they usually do. I gotta see, go back home and feel myself out and check myself mentally to see where I went wrong because I feel like my snap wasnt there.”
The co-main event featured an exciting matchup as undefeated super welterweights, Marvin Cabrera and Neeco “The Rooster” Macias put their intact record on the line in a scheduled eight-round fight. The fight came to an early end with Cabrera’s corner stopping the fight after the sixth round, making Macias the winner by KO.
Picture credit: Valentin Romero (IG: Valentin_Romero8)
Macias displayed amazing heart and conditioning as he pummeled the Mexican six-time national champion into the ropes, overwhelming him with non-stop combinations immediately after the opening bell. Cabrera (8-1, 6 KOs) suffered his first pro-career defeat as he spent almost every minute of the fight with his back against the ropes, with no answers or strategy against Macias.
In just six complete rounds, Macias threw a total of 1119 punches, completely demoralizing his opponent and stealing the night with his killer instinct and smiling face.
“I got all that energy,” Macias said. ” Honestly, big thank you to Marvin Cabrera because knowing I was fighting him, I had to bring my best and train real hard at home. Train hard, fight easy.”
In an eight-round middleweight battle, Brazilian WBO Latino Super Welterweight Champion Patrick Teixeira got the unanimous decision victory against Nathaniel Gallimore with all three judges scoring the fight 78-74.
Picture credit: Valentin Romero (IG: Valentin_Romero8)
Gallimore (20-3-17 KOs) went down twice in the bout, with the first drop being ruled a slip. However, Texeira (29-1, 22 KOs) continued to pummel the face and body of his opponent for the entirety of the fight.
“It was a good fight, but I have to get better,” said Teixeira. “He was a tough opponent. I want a title next. I have to work hard for that. I will stay in Oxnard, California and keep training.”
Lightweight prospect Kevin Ventura improved his undefeated record to ten victories by way of unanimous decision against Eduardo Reyes in a six-round lightweight bout.
Ventura (10-0, 8 KOs) went the distance for only the second time in his career, dominating Reyes (9-15, 6 KOs) who took the punishment but refused to go down. Regardless of the heart and effort from the Mexican contender who kept coming forward to land some effective punches, the judges scored the fight 58-55 and 59-54 x2 for Ventura.
“I hurt my right hand in the second round,” Ventura said post-fight. “It hurt too much to throw. I would have easily knocked him out if it weren’t for the injury. He was eating the right hands all night.”
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