Ryan Garcia makes good on his word and stops Luke Campbell
In his moment of truth, Ryan “KingRy” Garcia (21-0, 18 KO’s) claimed a 7th round knockout stoppage. With the win over Luke Campbell (20-4, 16 KO’s), Garcia now becomes the interim WBC world lightweight champion. To this point, Campbell represents KingRy’s most decorated professional opposition. This is why it was so imperative that the Californian exhibit a particularly impressive performance.
Garcia has told all that will listen that he is more than a fast-talking youngster. Many hold his immense social media following and admitted Hollywood ambitions against him. Regardless of how he acquired his fans, or his plans following boxing, KingRy wanted to prove his moxie in the ring. That will no longer be the case! Once in the ring, Garcia was able to show his grit, skill and power.
Unfortunately for Campbell, this is now his fourth professional loss. At this point, the UK pugilist will be relegated to ‘gate keeper’ status by many. While there is no doubt that he is skilled, time after time Campbell simply cannot get over the hump with top competition.
GARCIA’S BIG SHOW
Garcia began the fight clearly looking to establish himself as the boss, although he was not overly reckless in doing so. KingRy pressed the back-peddling Campbell with a steady jab to the head and stomach. When available, Garcia threw hard hooks and uppercuts and just missed with a few crisp straight rights. For his part, Campbell landed a few hard hooks to the belly.
Things got real serious for Garcia when Campbell dropped him with a crunching flush left hook. To his credit, KingRy made it to his feet and fought well without retreating. By the conclusion of the third, Garcia was back dictating the pace and terms of the fight. Outside of a pawing jab and winging hooks, the UK fighter did not have much going, offensively speaking.
In the closing seconds of a fairly even fifth round, KingRy nailed Campbell with a hard left which wobbled him significantly. As expected, Garcia went straight after his foe with aggression. However, he could not finish him off as he wanted to do. Then out of nowhere, a leaping left hook to the body sank Campbell to his hands and knees in the seventh. When he first went down, it appeared he would be able to rise again. But as referee Laurence Cole counted to ten, Campbell could not get but one knee off the canvas. With the win, Garcia has truly arrived on the big stage.
By: Bakari Simpson
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