Los Angeles-based Ryan Garcia makes his ring return on Saturday, December 2 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, where he faces Mexican contender Oscar Duarte. The pair squares off in the 12-round bout at super lightweight. The contest airs live on DAZN.
Ahead of the showdown, the fighters hosted a kickoff press conference, previewed their bout and went face to face. Garcia said he was looking for a tough opponent on his way to become world champion. Duarte said he was ready to make his homeland proud.
“Ryan doesn’t shy away from anything and I mean, you take a look at Oscar Duarte, and he’s a very, very tough knockout artist,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya. “And so the fact that Ryan Garcia picked him as as his comeback fight tells you everything about Ryan Garcia. He’s ready. He wants to make a huge statement. He wants to come back and be world champion.”
“Ryan has a champion’s attitude. That’s exactly what he has. And a lot of people in the boxing industry were very surprised because Oscar Duarte is coming off an 11-fight knockout streak. His trainer has been doing wonders and you know, he can’t wait to showcase and so I believe that Ryan Garcia will will will bring his best, and Oscar Duarte will bring his best, and all the fans here in Houston will bring will bring the best energy and hype around this fight.”
Ryan Garcia: Oscar is a tough opponent, knockout artist
25-year-old Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) is looking to return to winning ways. In his previous bout in April, Victorville, California native suffered his first career defeat when he was stopped by Gervonta Davis in the seventh round.
“You know, Oscar is a tough opponent, a knockout artist, so I have to be prepared, you know, refresh after my last fight,” Ryan Garcia said. “I’ve been training with Derek and have been learning a lot and building. At this new weight I feel more confident, just stronger and just more aware.”
“If I expect to become a champion, I can’t take easy fights and think that’s going get me there. So, I knew that Oscar was a challenge. He’s fast. He’s strong. He’s got good timing. So it just made sense for me, you know, this fight, to show what I could do to prepare me for the bigger fights.”
“I know the city’s gonna show out because you know, Houston! So much love out here!”
Oscar Duarte: This is my best moment for me
Oscar Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) is looking for his 12th straight victory. Last time out in May, Parral, Chihuahua’s 27-year-old stopped D’Angelo Keyes in seven rounds.
“I’m happy and very excited to be here,” Oscar Duarte said. “I am thankful for this opportunity. I’m ready. I’m living in my best moment. I’m thankful for my team, my family and come December 2, I’m going to shine. It’s going to be a great fight and I’m going to make Chihuahua and Mexico proud.”
“Come December 2, I’m going to win and I’m going to be the next idol in Mexican boxing with the preparation that I am doing. I have a big rival in front of me, I have an incredible team behind me. They are my strength, and I am ready for the big challenges ahead of me. This is my best moment for me not only physically but mentally too.”
The bouts featured on Garcia vs Duarte undercard are expected to be announced shortly.
In the UK and Australia, the event airs live on Sunday, December 3.
The post Ryan Garcia ‘can’t take easy fights’, Oscar Duarte ‘ready for the big challenges’ appeared first on FIGHTMAG.