Hector Garcia Rises To The Challenge To Take Down Chris Colbert
No longer an unknown, Hector Luis Garcia (15-0, 10ko) dominated WBA #1 junior lightweight contender Chris “PrimeTime” Colbert (16-1, 6ko) who may have been overlooking him for future big fights down the line.
Primetime was due to fight WBA junior lightweight champion Roger Guiterrez until COVID-19 struck the champion, preventing him from being able to compete. Instead, Primetime had to settle on letting his frustration out on the unknown Dominican.
As of late, Colbert has been talking about fighting WBO champion Shakur Stevenson and three-divisional champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in the future. It was obvious he overlooked his current assignment in Garcia, as the fight showed it.
RELATED:Chris Colbert: “Davis & Stevenson Are The Biggest Fights For Me At 135!”
NO LONGER AN UNKNOWN
Garcia, a 2016 Olympian, took this fight on a two-week notice but you wouldn’t have known unless told! The fight started in a typical fashion with both fighters feeling each other out. Garcia was landing early with blistering combinations showing why he should not have been so easily dismissed.
Colbert was fighting as if he could knock out his opponent at any time and elected to trade early. He landed the counter right hand on occasion, but it was clear that Garcia was causing him some trouble with his counter punching from the southpaw stance and perfectly timed straight left hand.
As the fight continued, Garcia became the story of the fight, regardless of Primetime landing a few good body shots. The Domincan was using his footwork while staying on the blindside of his opponent and landing the right hook counter.
In the seventh round, Garcia became the first man to knock down Primetime when he made his opponent pay for lunging in with a perfectly time left hook counter. Colbert would survive the round only to be beaten from corner to corner in the eighth round. He was getting hurt by the right hook, and straight left hand that keep him in the corner the majority of the round.
WINNING THE FANS
The fans started to cheer the name of the challenger as Garcia was in full command of the fight. His punch output was keeping Colbert from responding and retreating to the corner in a defensive posture. The Dominican was determined to get the win and seize the moment!
Prior to fight, Primetime was interviewed and asked if he saw any film on Garcia. The brash Brooklyn native acted as if that was not necessary as he was going to knock him out.
Well, he probably should have watched a little film as Garcia was all over Primetime landing left and right hooks on his defense-minded prey. Eventually Colbert would elect to get on his bicycle for the last two rounds which resulted in him being booed by the fans to end his night.
When the final bell sounded, two judges scored it 118-109 and one had it 119-108. 3kingsboxing agrees with the latter score. Although Colbert called for a rematch, Garcia has made a name for himself on the biggest stage of his career. Furthermore, now the winner of a WBA eliminator, he can choose to parlay this into a big money match-up!
Reading Time: 3 minutes
By: Garrisson Bland
