Popular contender ‘King’ Ryan Garcia 23-1 (19) will attempt to establish himself as a genuine force at 140-pounds when he takes on Oscar ‘La Migraña’ Duarte 26-1-1 (21) at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on December 2.
The 25-year-old Los Angelan has been on the sidelines since April when he lost his first pro bout to Baltimore southpaw Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 29-0 (27) by seventh-round knockout in a 136-pound catchweight bout.
Garcia’s previous two bouts in 2022 both took place at junior welterweight after outgrowing the 135-pound weight class.
He believes a return to 140-pounds will also see a return to the win column.
“You know, Oscar is a tough opponent, a knockout artist, so I have to be prepared, you know, refresh after my last fight,” Garcia said.
“I’ve been training with Derrick [James] 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!”
Garcia changed trainer after the Davis loss, leaving Joe Goossen to join the stable of former two-time trainer of the year Derrick James.
“Ryan and I are getting along pretty good in training camp and everything is meshing,” James said. “This is a day by day process. We keep getting better and better and better. So I’m looking for a great night of fights.”
Duarte, 27, is riding high on an 11-fight win streak going back almost five years. All of those victories have come via knockout.
“I’m happy and very excited to be here. I am thankful for this opportunity. I’m ready,” Duarte said.
“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.”
Golden Boy Promotions chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya said: “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.
“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.”
