Ryan Garcia Debuts Mayweather Style Defense in Win Over Duarte - Boxing News 24

Ryan Garcia makes successful return to the ring with eighth-round knockout victory over Oscar Duarte, showcasing new defensive move.

In the headline event of the Golden Boy Promotions card, which was streamed live on DAZN, Ryan Garcia marked a triumphant return to the ring by defeating Oscar Duarte (26-2-1, 21 KOs) with an eighth-round knockout. Throughout the bout, Garcia exhibited new skills and tactics, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in the ring.

The contest, which spanned 8 rounds, saw moments of brilliance from Ryan Garcia as he displayed sharp offensive maneuvers. However, there were also instances where Garcia appeared vulnerable on the defensive end. Nevertheless, he ultimately secured an impressive knockout victory.

In April 2023, Garcia faced off against his long-standing rival, Gervonta "Tank" Davis, in a highly anticipated matchup. Unfortunately, Garcia suffered a defeat via a 7th-round knockout. Eight months later, he was determined to make a comeback and reignite his boxing career. Surprisingly, Garcia chose the formidable Oscar Duarte as his opponent for his return to the ring.

On the night of the fight, Garcia utilized lateral movement, a strong jab, and sought openings for his uppercut in the opening round. Meanwhile, Duarte, known for his aggressive style, pressed forward and landed a solid left-hand shot halfway through the round.

As the bout progressed, Garcia continued to employ his jab and right hand in the second round. Duarte had a notable moment in this round, connecting with a sweeping left hook. In the third round, Garcia introduced his version of the Mayweather shoulder roll defense, also known as the Philly shell. However, his execution was unorthodox, as he frequently turned his back to his opponent.

The fight continued with Garcia using the shoulder roll in the subsequent rounds, but Duarte managed to land significant left hooks. In the eighth round, with only 32 seconds remaining, Garcia stunned Duarte with his signature check left hook, leading to a flurry of shots that sent Duarte to the canvas. Unable to get up, Duarte was declared defeated by knockout.

The highlight of the evening was Ryan Garcia's successful return to the ring following his first career loss. Another point of interest was Garcia's unconventional use of the shoulder roll, a defensive technique not commonly associated with his coach, Derrick James. During the post-fight press conference, Garcia revealed James' disapproval of his variation of the shoulder roll, stating, "Derrick told me never to do that. He was like, 'Don't do that, you ain't Mayweather.' He will never admit that, but he did say that."

When questioned about the origin of his variation of the shoulder roll, Garcia admitted, "I was just doing it, like I was just like, alright, let me see if this works."

Overall, the night was a triumph for Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), as he achieved a knockout victory against a formidable opponent. His next potential challenge could be a shot at the super-lightweight world title, with his sights set on WBA champion Rolando "Rolly" Romero.

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