Going into Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Javier Fortuna had the goal of showing the world that Ryan Garcia was “overrated”. That however was not the case as Garcia dominated the Dominican from start to finish, securing a sixth-round knockout.
Ryan Garcia stops Fortuna in 6
Fortuna (37-4-1, 26 KO) was very shy with his punching output and never quite got anything going on the offensive end. He showed frustration with Garcia’s length as the young superstar worked a strong jab and straight rights to keep the two-division champion humble.
As the fight went on, Garcia (23-0, 19 KO) managed to get Fortuna to cover upstairs more exposing his rib area which led to Garcia in the fourth round landing a powerful left hook that forced Fortuna to take a knee for the first knockdown of the fight.
Fortuna didn’t get any mercy in the fifth round as Garcia landed a left hook to the face that sent Fortuna down to the canvas for Garcia’s second knockdown of the fight. Fortuna went back to his corner visibly in pain that even had his cornerman questioning the fighter to continue going.
Unfortunately, they were correct in their assessment as the sixth round started and Garcia unloaded a three-punch combination that opened another left hook that put Fortuna down again. Fortuna did not rise to his feet and the bout was stopped at the 0:26 mark of round number six.
Honor Glory Love Respect pic.twitter.com/aNoLxj9EFL
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) July 18, 2022
Normally Ryan Garcia operates at the lightweight division, but due to Fortuna’s request, the bout agreement for the weight was sanctioned at the super lightweight mark to which Garcia made clear in his post-fight interview he felt comfortable at 140 lbs that he wouldn’t drop back down to 135 lbs.
Despite the new weight campaign Garcia has decided to take up, he remains focused on securing a fight with rival Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis for his next appearance that would pit the two young boxing superstars in a much-anticipated mega-fight.
Garcia said the following:
“I’m not going back to 135 for nothing but I will fight ‘Tank’ next. If ‘Tank’ wants it at 140. Hey, I’m going to record all the negotiations so that you guys don’t make no headlines saying I’m ducking. If he wants it, let’s get it. … That’s going to give me the respect I deserve. I’m never afraid. I’ve said I have a spirit of competition in me. You’re going to see that come out when I fight tank and whoop his ass.”
Garcia and Davis are among a number of stars that the lightweight division has to offer as it includes Teofimo Lopez who has also moved up to 140 lbs, Vasiliy Lomachenko and undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Davis has also experimented with the super lightweight division as he secured a dramatic stoppage over Mario Barrios to win the WBA’s secondary title. It is still questionable if he desires to return to 140 lbs as he is small for the division with a stature of 6’5, as well as still having to negotiate between the two fighters’ promoters and networks.
