Ryan Garcia proved he is the antithesis of Public Enemy’s classic, “Dont Believe The Hype”.
Last night, he stopped Luke Campbell in the 7th round to become the WBC interim lightweight champion.
The ringside angle of Ryan Garcia's KO 📲 pic.twitter.com/3cOe1PVUqv
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 3, 2021
Garcia won his first world title in front of 6,000 at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas.
However, the win was not without its challenges. Campbell, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, sent a flat-footed Garcia to the canvas in the 2nd round.
Down, but never out. pic.twitter.com/Vf7LkJoZr5
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 3, 2021
Campbell previously has decision losses to former champions Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jorge Linares.
This was the first time “King” Ryan tasted the floor in a professional bout and the pressure was on.
Garcia showed up though, embracing the setback and bringing the fight to a game Campbell throughout.
Who Next for Ryan Garcia? pic.twitter.com/Jpr8VfRwyi
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 3, 2021
By the time he unleashed the Usain Bolt fast left hook to the body that floored Campbell, he was already ahead since the knockdown.
The win was significant as Garcia is now the latest lightweight phenom to become a champion.
Between 2019 and 2020, a slew of young killers have been incubated as the next generation of boxing stars.
So far they haven’t disappointed.
Garcia was the last to join the young hallowed ranks and he came with the most doubt in popular opinion.
It’s not what people say you are it’s who you choose to be
— Ryan Garcia (@KingRyanG) January 3, 2021
As a social media superstar with 8 million followers on Instagram alone, for some Garcia has entertained more on his cobra bag drills than in the ring.
His confidence borders full blown cocky and with the ascension of his peers, namely, Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, and Gervonta “Tank” Davis, many believed he would flash out before actually touching a world title.
They were wrong.
Garcia is a product of the social media generation at 22 years old but that takes nothing away from his natural abilities.
“You inspire me. I wouldn’t be as good as I am if I didn’t have you.”
A heartfelt message from @KingRyanG to @Canelo after his win. ✊ pic.twitter.com/J0WOi51RkA
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 3, 2021
Add into mix that he trains with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and head trainer Eddie “Chepo” Reynoso and you have then makings of a superstar.
Ryan Garcia is a designer baby, born with natural abilities and curated by the current superstar of the sport in Candlo.
With the innate Mexican heritage boxing is infused with, the Mexican-American kid out of Victorville, California is poised to become the next big thing if he keeps looking impressive.
Decent performance @KingRyanG now you’re my mandatory lets make it happen!
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) January 3, 2021
Rising star and WBC lightweight champion, Devin Haney is Garcia’s mandatory opponent but Garcia wasted no time in calling out Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
Garcia has been eyeing the four-time, two-division world champion who currently holds the WBA (regular) lightweight title, vowing to rout his legacy of he doesn’t grant him a fight.
Luke Campbell tells Ryan Garcia that he is the hardest puncher he’s ever faced. 💥 pic.twitter.com/eQlmcd101j
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 3, 2021
Although many feel that Tank is light years ahead of Garcia via experience and power, the body shot that sent Campbell reeling was a shot fired in the power-punching conversation about a Davis and Garcia matchup.
The welterweights may have dominated the 2010’s but the current decade looks like the dawn of the new era of lightweights in boxing.
