By Lance Walton ’25

Undercard Begins: 5pm est

Main Event: 8pm est

Tonight’s fight against Oscar Duarte is Ryan Garcia’s chance to redeem himself and shut down all skeptics, including his own promoters. Notably, both Oscar de la Hoya and Bernard Hopkins have publicly expressed doubt regarding Garcia’s chances and future. Not surprisingly Garcia responded back at both, including mentioning how Hopkins was infamously knocked out of the ring in his fight against Joe Smith Junior.

In response to De La Hoya, Garcia had this to say:

“It’s very clear to me that they’re backing this guy [Oscar Duarte] to beat me, just like they thought [Romero] Duno was going to beat me. 

“He was the next Filipino star. They’re saying he’s [Duarte] the next Mexican star,” Garcia said.

As for my prediction, Duarte is undoubtedly a skilled fighter with an impressive resume. That said, I don’t feel he can match or counter the hand speed and accuracy that Garcia brings to the ring. In the end, I simply think people, including De la Hoya and Hopkins, forget just how dangerous and talented a fighter Garcia is. Ultimately, I’m going with Garcia via KO in the 8th Round.