BN Verdict: Although still searching for an identity, Ryan Garcia returns to form with a vital eighth-round stoppage of Oscar Duarte

By Elliot Worsell

WHEN a fighter goes by way of a interval of rehabilitation it’s simply as a lot about discovering out who they’re, what they’ll do, and the way they need to do it as it’s getting again on observe and stringing some wins collectively to restore shattered confidence.

In the case of Ryan Garcia, overwhelmed for the primary time in April by Gervonta Davis, tonight’s (December 2) catchweight combat (made at 143 kilos) in opposition to Oscar Duarte in Houston was essential in every of these respects. On the one hand, nothing was extra essential for Garcia than registering a victory and remembering what that looks like, but, equally, there was at all times going to be a sense of the brand new with Garcia this night; each for him and for these of us watching.

Since shedding in opposition to Davis, he has in spite of everything break up from coach Joe Goossen and is now skilled by Derrick James. Moreover, having been humbled by Davis seven months in the past, Garcia, 24-1 (20), will know he wants to both be higher or be one thing else so as to flourish on the very elite stage of the game.

Not solely that, Garcia, at 25, has time on his aspect and must be afforded this time to develop, enhance, even perhaps change. Tonight, for instance, when going by way of the gears and, once in a while, main Duarte a merry dance, there was typically a feeling that Garcia was not solely determining his opponent however determining himself as nicely. Each time he carried out a shoulder roll, or went for a jog, it wasn’t a lot escape as experimentation; recalling strikes from fighters he has lengthy admired and making an attempt them out within the warmth of battle.

Granted, this experimentation made for a curious sight to behold at instances however Garcia, in getting the job ultimately achieved in spherical eight, is unlikely to be too involved about that. Indeed, by the point the end introduced itself, Duarte, now 26-2-1 (21), was getting determined on account of Garcia’s techniques. He was marauding ahead by then, typically aimlessly, and his downfall was ultimately triggered by his personal wayward proper hand, which Garcia countered expertly with a left hook. This punch, seemingly innocuous-looking at first, despatched a jolt down the backbone of Duarte, making his legs unsteady, whereupon Garcia spun him, put him in a nook, and compelled by way of some spiteful proper fingers. Even extra unsteady now as a end result of this, Duarte, with nowhere to go and no combat left in him, had no choice however to stumble to the canvas, the place he remained, on one knee, for the length of the referee’s rely (rising on 10 however absolutely conscious he had left it too late).

For Garcia, who all week carried a Me vs. The World mentality, this was exactly what the physician ordered and his response to it – vaulting the ring put up as if having avenged his loss to Davis – stated a lot in regards to the significance of the end result and the aid he felt having secured it. There can be sterner checks forward, of course, and larger names with whom he shares a ring, however tonight Garcia, for so many causes, arguably got here by way of essentially the most difficult task of his profession to date.