VIDEO: Ryan Garcia Knocks Out Oscar Duarte In Houston
Ryan Garcia has stopped Oscar Duarte.
Garcia and Duarte shared the boxing ring inside the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on December 2. It was a big chance for Duarte to pull off the biggest win in his pro career. For Garcia, it was an opportunity to bounce back from his lone pro loss to Gervonta Davis.
Garcia threw out the jab early in round one. He dug in a shot to the body. Duarte threw a left hook, but Garcia blocked it. A counter left uppercut was there for "KingRy." Garcia went for another uppercut near the end of the round.
A right hand was thrown for Garcia, but Duarte had his guard up. Duarte shoved Garcia to the corner before the ref broke up the clinch. A left hand landed for Duarte. Garcia connected with his own left hand. A jab was there for Garcia, Duarte answered back with a left hand. A right hand from Garcia connected.
In the third round, Garcia went for an uppercut that only hit Duarte's arm. Duarte was making it tough for Garcia to get in his counters. Duarte was warned for hitting "KingRy" in the back. A hard right hand was partially blocked by Duarte. A right hand down the pipe gave Duarte pause momentarily, but he continued moving forward. A combination was there for Garcia. Duarte was warned for punches to the back a second time.
Round four began and Garcia once again looked to pierce the guard of his opponent. Duarte showed no fear, moving forward and landing a body shot. Duarte was once again warned, this time for punches to the back of Garcia's head. Fight fans inside the arena became restless with the referee's interference. With Garcia's back to the ropes, Duarte fired off his offense. Duarte was warned yet again, this time for a low blow.
One minute into round five, Garcia found the home for an uppercut that snapped his opponent's head back. Duarte still didn't seem fazed and kept moving forward. Garcia connected with a left hook. Garcia initially looked to land a clean body shot, but it was ruled a low blow near the end of the round.
Throughout the fight, Garcia was doing a half shoulder roll that made it look like he was giving up his back, which was being criticized by Shawn Porter and Sergio Mora on the DAZN broadcast. Garcia scored a big uppercut in round six. Duarte landed a right hand over the top, but missed a winging hook.
Garcia landed a big counter right hand as Duarte was moving forward in round seven. "KingRy" continued moving around, as Duarte moved forward. A left hand from Garcia had Duarte off balance. Garcia appeared to be frustrating his opponent.
Garcia continued to be on his bicycle in the eighth round, looking for counters. Garcia landed a massive check left hook that had Duarte on wobbly legs. A few more punches from "KingRy" dropped his opponent. Duarte couldn't beat the 10-count.
Ryan Garcia got the job done.
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