By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside
Rising lightweight superstar Ryan “KingRy” Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) out of Victorville, CA, made his long awaited ring return on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and took a unanimous decision against the crafty Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe (32-2, 15 KOs) out of Ghana over twelve rounds to win going away 119-108 twice and 118-109.
Garcia dropped Tagoe in round two after a double right hand, although Tagoe complained to referee Jon Schorle that he was pushed. Garcia followed Tagoe around the ring as Tagoe held often whenever they got close. Through the first six rounds, Garcia stalked Tagoe and at times unloaded a series of combos to the smaller Tagoe who did his best to duck and move away. Garcia had success to the body against the unorthodox Tagoe, who showed he was game against the social media star.
Tagoe finally had some success in round seven as he landed an overhand right that was his best punch of the night to that point, but again Garcia was the busier of the two and continued to land solid shots to the head and body of Tagoe. In round nine, Garcia and Tagoe fought in the pocket where Tagoe was able to counter Garcia with looping rights and lefts. In round ten through twelve, Garcia once again pounced on Tagoe and dropped a flurry on him against the ropes and tried desperately for the KO but could not finish him off.
Garcia hadn’t seen the ring before tonight, since his spectacular seventh round knockout of former British Olympian Luke Campbell to kick off the new year of January 2021, in Dallas, Texas, where he survived a second round knockdown before ending the fight with a vicious body shot that looked to propel him for a breakout year.
But unfortunately, that was not the case as Garcia, still only 23, has been sidelined with mental health issues and injuries on his hand and wrist that required surgery. He also parted ways unceremoniously with trainer Eddy Reynoso, trainer of pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez and is now with old school trainer Joe Goosen.
Garcia will now hopefully get the highly anticipated mega matchup with “Tank” Davis if Tank gets past Rolly Romero when they square off May 28. The fight with Tank was in the works previously after Garcia’s big win against Campbell.
“KingRy” had this to say to Chris Mannix with the DAZN in the ring post fight:
“Nothing but respect for Tagoe, crafty. He was moving a lot, I have to cut off the ring a little better.”
“I think if I would have pressed him harder in the beginning, I may have gotten him out of there. It was a track down fight as I had to track him down.”
“Felt great with Joe Goossen. Very comfortable in the ring. I love Joe.”
“I have been all about the callouts (on fighting Tank next), but I have grown and matured andI will let my team handle it.”
Shane Mosely Jr. vs. Gabriel Rosado
In the co-main event, Shane Mosely Jr (18-4, 10 KOs) from Pomona, CA outboxed “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-15-1, 15 KOs) out of Philadelphia, PA, over ten rounds to take Rosado’s WBA Continental Americas super middleweight title in a crossroads fight for both fighters. The scores read 98-92, 97-93, 95-95 by majority decision for Mosely Jr.
Mosley Jr. showed off immense boxing skills as he dominated the rugged Rosado landing his long jab, overhand right and straight lefts to the head and body most of the night. Rosado was just a step behind the quicker Mosley Jr. all night and could never land the one big punch to change the trajectory of the fight. Rosado has built a career on grit and toughness, but could never put enough punches together against the slicker Mosley Jr., who showed skills reminiscent of his hall of fame father “Sugar” Shane Mosely.
The last 30 seconds of the fight displayed the most action in the whole fight as Mosley Jr. dropped a big fight, followed by a sold left hand as Rosado motioned Mosely Jr. to fight. Mosely Jr. obliged and landed a couple more bombs in the final ten seconds to punctuate a masterful performance and not nearly as close as the scorecards read, especially the 95-95.
Marlen Esparza vs. Naoka Fujioka
In a special attraction, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist and current WBC flyweight world champ Marlen Esparza (11-1, 1 KOs) out of nearby Houston beat Japan’s WBA flyweight titlist Naoka Fujioka (19-2-1, 7 KOs) in a unification tilt and for the inaugural Ring Magazine belt Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas, to walk away with three belts. Fujioka started strong in round one and landed multiple overhand rights that woke up Esparza who in turn landed a big left hook in the second round, although Fujioka ended with some big shots of her own. From the third to sixth round, Esparza got into a groove and showed great defense in the middle rounds slipping punches on the inside of the aggressive Fujioka. From the seventh round to the final bell, both fighters had their moments landing clean shots, however Esparza seem to land a few more each round. The judges scored it one sided for Esparza 100-90 twice, and 97-93 although it was a very competitive fight.
Esparza told Chris Mannix from DAZN in the ring post fight on her performance: “It was a a really good performance by how hard she brings it. She’s a seasoned and a tough fighter. We really executed well. Really good performance by how hard she brings it.. she’s seasoned and tough fighter. We really executed well. You don’t know what a world champion could bring, so we got ready for multiple ways she could fight. I want the next two belts.”
Azat Hovhannisyan vs. Dagoberto Aguero
In the DAZN opener at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, featherweight Azat Hovhannisyan (21-3, 17 KOs), fighting out of Los Angeles blasted out Dagoberto Aguero (15-2, 10 KOs) from the Dominican Republic, in two rounds of the scheduled ten. The fight became a firefight early as Hovhannisyan and Aguero went toe to toe, however Hovhannisyan showed he was much too strong for the Dominican. Hovhannisyan dropped Aguero twice in the second round and the fight was stopped at 1:11. Hovhannisyan earned the technical knockout and told Fightnews.com after the fight that the fight was easy and plans to be back in the ring in the next three to four months.
Patrick Teixeira vs. Paul Valenzuela
In a scheduled ten rounder, former WBO super welterweight champion, fighting at middleweight, Patrick Teixeira (31-3, 22 KOs) out of Sao Paulo, Brazil hit Paul Valenzuela (27-11, 17 KOs) from Mexico twice in the back of the head in round two and put Valenzuela on the canvas in obvious pain. The referee warned Teixeira for the infraction right away as Valenzuela laid face down on the canvas. After a check from the doctor and several minutes, the fight was waived off by the referee. Valenzuela was then ruled the winner by disqualification, to the dismay of the crowd, as the ring announcer announced the decision as “due to multiple strikes to the back of the head.”. The time of the disqualification was 16 seconds of round two. This was not the comeback fight Teixeira was hoping for after losing his WBO super welterweight title to Brian Castano last February. Castano is now poised to face Jermell Charlo in a rematch for the undisputed super welterweight title May 14. Their first battle ended in a controversial draw in July of 2021.
Gregory Morales vs. Katsuma Akitsugi
Featherweight Katsuma Akitsugi (9-0, 1 KOs) out of Hollywood, CA and representing Japan, used relentless pressure against San Antonio’s Gregory Morales (13-1, 8 KOs) to win a decisive back and forth affair over eight rounds. Akitsugi, a southpaw, came out from the opening bell and landed his right, left all night against local, fan favorite Gregory Morales. Morales though did not wilt under the constant pressure and countered with solid shots of his own. The pressure from Akitsugi was too much as he never went backward and won an exciting, one-sided decision against the game Morales. The scores were 78-74 twice and 80-72.
Tristan Kalkreuth vs. Santander Silgado
Tristan “Sweet Tea” Kalkreuth (9-1, 7 KOs), now campaigning as a heavyweight, wasted little time in his comeback fight to knockout Santander Silgado (30-12, 24 KOs) in the second round of the scheduled six. Kalkreuth used round one to measure the bigger, chubbier Silgado from Panama City, Panama. Silgado showed a stiff jab in round one as well and just missed a wild shot after the bell. Kalkreuth went right towards Silgado in round two and unleashed a right hand that landed on the jaw of Silgado and put him on his backside. Referee Rafael Ramos took a quick look at Silgado and quickly waived it off. The time was 46 seconds of round two. Kalkreuth hadn’t fought since losing his first fight as a pro in June of 2021, when he suffered a shoulder injury and had to fight with one arm most of the fight. The shoulder required surgery and after campaigning as a cruiserweight enter his comeback fight as a heavyweight and looked strong in his debut, even showcasing his signature backflip after the win. Kalkreuth is managed by long time Texas boxing staple Lester Bedford, who managed San Antonio’s own Jesse James Leija to a world title in his long, successful career.
George Rincon vs. Alejandro Frias
Undefeated George Rincon (13-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Dallas, dropped Alejandro Frias13-6-2 (6 KOs) from Tepic, Mexico, in the second round and survived a head butt in round seven to win an ugly, brutal slugfest by unanimous decision. Frias used rough tactics throughout the fight and even tackled Rincon out of the ring in round six. Rincon grimaced in pain as he landed hard on his back. Referee Jon Schorle gave Rincon time to recover, and the fight continued. In round seven, Frias landed a head butt on the top of Rincon’s head and this time the referee deducted a point. After a quick check from the ringside doctor, the fight once again continued. With blood covering his face and his right eye almost closed, Rincon showed great toughness and kept battling. Rincon, a southpaw, worked behind his right jab and straight left most of the fight to do just enough most of the rounds to win comfortably. The scores read 96-91, 96-91, 98-89, as Rincon kept his undefeated record intact.
Santos Ortega vs. Jesus Martinez – First Fight
In the opening bout in San Antonio, Texas, of the big return of Ryan “KingRy” Garcia against Ghana’s Emmanuel Tagoe shown live on DAZN, featherweight Santos Ortega (7-0, 3 KOs) out of Sacramento, CA remained undefeated by pummeling Jesus Martinez (30-16-1, 15 KOs) from Hollywood, FL in the second round of the scheduled six. After a flurry of punches, the referee waived it off for Santos at 2:15.
Hector Valdez Jr vs. Daniel Moncada – 2nd Fight
Dallas’ Hector Valdez Jr. (15-0, 8 KOs) used a strong body attack to beat the tough Daniel Moncada (15-6-2, 5 KOs) out of Mexico City in a super bantamweight battle. Valdez Jr. trained by Hector Beltran, one of Vergil Ortiz’ trainers, landed his left hook throughout the fight, but Moncada showed he wasn’t going away easy. Valdez Jr. finally opened a cut on the left eye of Moncada that was bleeding through the second half of the eight rounder. In round five, Valdez dropped Moncada who got up quickly and did is best to counter the stronger Valdez Jr. Valdez Jr. stayed perfect with the unanimous decision as the scores read 80-71, 79-72, 78-73.
I didn’t actually think he’d do it, but I thought Mosley was a live underdog against Rosado. Good for him!
I can’t believe that one of the judges scored it 95-95
Joins the unfortunately all too long list of worst scorecards I’ve ever seen. At most, Rosado won 1 round.
You shouldn’t be shocked because its San Antonio. There was a fight long ago, Chavez vs Whitaker that was also a “draw” in San Antonio.
I can’t wait for Garcia vs Tagoe II and Casimero vs Rigondeaux II (Both in the same card)
Lol
How on earth can anyone score Mosley-Rosado a draw. Gabe won, at the absolute most, 2 rounds. Shocking.
The women’s title fight had an equally incompetent score of 100-90.
So quenry won?
Esparza looked fat and slow and her competition looks like housewives collecting side money and Superhype looked like he needs to stay away from any fighter who can punch lol
Garcia clearly didn’t respect the power or skills of tagoe, but even with that said, it was a dreadful performance. Garcia was much bigger stronger and faster yet displayed horrible footwork in cutting off the ring as well as keeping himself in proper range to punch. He walked straight in without throwing punches and then would get too close essentially limiting his on punch effectiveness. It was like he was lunging in and smothering his punches because he was so close. Amateurish mistakes, he honestly reminded me of Robert Easter. He should have worked behind the jab more and stayed at a proper distance so he lands at the end of the punches.
He also brought his feet in too close to parralell and didn’t vary his punches. Basically just winged hard shots after he got too close. Absolutely dreadful skills shown from a supposedly top prospect. The only thing showed was god hand speed and pop on his punches. Thats it. Loma would make this kid look like the novice that he is.
Tagoe for his part had great movement but has no clue how to counter, and he did not offer much at all outside of a couple rounds where decided to stand his ground and fight back a little.
Dreaded fight, if you missed be glad you didn’t watch.
Compubox agrees. Ryan landed 4 jabs. 4. Four. Not a typo.
“Garcia clearly didn’t respect the power or skills of tagoe.” That is exactly why Garcia picked him. He will continue to fight opponents like this because Golden Boy knows he’s not at the level to compete with Tank, Kambosos, Lopez, Lomachenko, and Haney.
Garcia reminds me of a young Amir Khan in terms of offensive skillset. Very naturally gifted with hand speed and respectable power, but over time is too reliant on it. Like he has neglected some other fundamentals because he thinks the hand speed will do all the work.
garcia can punch but is he better than tank davis will have to wait and see after tank fights rollo
Do you really believe Garcia wants that fight? He’s a social media star. Garcia is a talker. If that fight really happened he’d pull out via he had “mental health”, “covid” or an injury. Garcia is never going to fight anyone worth mentioning. He won’t even fight Pitbull Cruz.
Esparza’s face looked like a bloated goldfish?!
Rygar still being able to make 135 is his saving grace, as he does have size and power for that weight class. However, he needs to continue fighting C level opponents with little power, otherwise he will get knocked out. He has a low boxing IQ and doesn’t seem to have a fight plan. This will cost him when he steps up.
“When he steps up” HAHAHAHA. He’s not stepping up lol.
It’s Garcia’s less impressive performance since a long time but we need to give Goosen the time to work and perfect his skills, we’ll see what happens in his next fight.
It’s the best Mosley Jr I ever see, hopefully he can continue this way and get a title fight. For Rosado the warrior it’s time to hang up the gloves after so much wars because i doesn’t want to see him in a few years with a slurred speech..
I think Rosado has already been around long enough for that to be the case for him Régis. Wouldn’t be the worst decision in the world fro him to call it a day, but I expect him to fight on.
Ryan Garcia was chasing the Gazelle Tahoe all over the ring! Lol