Ryan Garcia battled through adversity to earn the biggest win of his career.
Garcia (21-0, 18 KO) took on a former title challenger and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell (20-4, 16 KO) for the vacant WBC interim lightweight title earlier today (Sat., Jan. 2, 2021) from inside American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Things did not go to plan as Garcia was dropped for the first time in his career after taking a flush left hook from Campbell in the second round.
However, the 22-year-old got right back up and showed plenty of heart as he was able to bounce back and rock Campbell towards the end of the fifth round with a left hook of his own.
The end came in the seventh round when Garcia landed a vicious body shot that shut Campbell’s body down as he was unable to get up for the ten count.
As a result, Garcia is now the WBC interim lightweight champion and is the mandatory for WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Check the highlights below:
Did Ryan Garcia just hit Luke Campbell with the Euro Step? 💨 pic.twitter.com/Vh33Ng3j9T
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 2, 2021
LUKE CAMPBELL PUTS RYAN GARCIA ON THE CANVAS IN ROUND 2 💥 pic.twitter.com/hCQaPiVHjY
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 2, 2021
Ryan Garcia catches Luke Campbell 🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/Hl8togVVXT
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 2, 2021
This win meant everything to Ryan Garcia 👏 pic.twitter.com/1bw9MnqBmq
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 3, 2021
What’s next for Garcia could be a unification bout with WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney, but crowd in attendance were also calling for Ryan to meet Gervonta Davis.
“One thing I am a man of my word. Let’s go ‘Tank,’” Garcia said. “I know people are worried about that. But I’m ready.”
🥊 @KingRyanG vs. @Gervontaa? pic.twitter.com/CYAR2Z0KSE
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 3, 2021
Following his win, Ryan posted a inspiring message on Twitter:
