April 10, (THEWILL) – Ryan Garcia battled Emmanuel Tagoe to the 12-Round finish in front of 15,000 excited fans at the Alamodome on Saturday, shaking off some rustiness. Garcia had not fought beyond 10 rounds since a pair of 10-round decisions in 2018.
Garcia (with a record 22-0, 18 KOs), who is the Ring’s No. 5-rated lightweight, stalked Tagoe for the majority of the Golden Boy/DAZN main event, scoring an early knockdown in Round 2.
He got Tagoe, the once-beaten Ghanaian veteran, wobbling badly in Round 10, but he was forced to settle for a lopsided decision by scores of 119-108 (twice) and 118-109.
Tagoe (with a record 32-2, 15 KOs) took advantage of Garcia’s sloppiness in the late rounds, landing jabs and an odd overhand right counter, but the 33-year-old underdog lacked the stature, power, and courage to exploit the younger man’s vulnerable moments.
Garcia’s explosive punches and commitment to a knockout kept the bout interesting. But, he fought an ungainly boxer who was frequently in survival mode. As a counter puncher, Garcia is at his finest, clipping aggressive opponents with evil intentions.
Tagoe boxed to stay alive, annoying Garcia with lateral movement and clutching anytime they got close. Garcia will have to learn to deal with these professional tactics as he grows.
The good news is that Garcia has not lost any confidence, and he has not lost any speed or power, despite being out of commission for 15 months due to mental health concerns and injuries. With a weight of 138 pounds and change for the non-title bout, he appeared massive and physically imposing.
The bad news is that, while the 23-year-old social media star beat a shrewd and seasoned opponent, he demonstrated that he is still a work in progress. He chased Tagoe for much of the fight, but he did not cut the ring off the way a more seasoned boxer could have.
Garcia also overlooked his jab and swung his power shots so recklessly that he threw himself off balance.
Fortunately, he has Joe Goossen, a well-respected and experienced coach, to educate him how to deal with challenging styles in the future. Garcia’s first fight with Goossen in his corner, and getting 12 rounds under his belt was certainly beneficial to him.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
