Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) defeated Javier Fortuna (37-3-1, 26 KOs). The American pretended to be against a good newcomer, not a seasoned Dominican whose fans and pundits doubted whether to bet Ryan a year ago.

Javier didn’t think about what to stand up to in the face of such a strong and big counterpart, and Garcia is already ready for louder opponents. One of them has already been detected.

A year ago Fortuna looked like a competitive competitor. Now Ryan hasn’t left him a single chance.

The duel against Javier Fortuna was supposed to take place in 2021. Then the Dominican continued on three consecutive winning streaks and seemed to be returning to adequate physical, technical and psychological form. Garcia also knocked out Luke Campbell, making him retire, so the meeting looked like it was going to be pretty interesting.

But the fight broke up. Ryan stated that he needed rest, that he was depressed and that he would not box yet. The vacation was short-lived – a few months without boxing, social networks and a noisy environment, but during this time Fortuna managed to lose again – to Joseph Diaz in a class battle, where victory could be given both there and there, but the American still did a little more.

Garcia turned but went against Emmanuel Tagoe. The duel failed. Ryan won, but there was nothing to see. Tagoe couldn’t, Garcia didn’t want to, but he didn’t try. But everything can be attributed to the first fight under the guidance of a new coach – Garcia left coach Canelo, with whom he had long collaborated. And the argument seems to be correct.

The duel against Fortuna was definitely not like a battle of the titans. Garcia was considered a favourite. Although the number of fights is more important, he is ten years younger than his opponent, because in essence, 33 is a normal age for a lightweight. Only Javier went through more than one tough battle. Ryan is bigger and much more: he is almost ten centimeters taller, with a wider arm span.

But with all that, Javier certainly didn’t look like a whipping kid. Just before entering the ring.

Fortuna didn’t work. He tried to work aggressively – got into counter-actions. I tried to catch errors – I did not understand and did not have time. Javier looked helpless except for a few episodes. He started to attack well in the second lap and despite getting a few hits, he spent a total of three minutes active and well.

The third time he caught Garcia with a powerful punch. But that didn’t work either – Ryan didn’t feel the force of his opponent’s blow.

In general, Fortune was not successful. A good, technical left-back could not do anything, primarily because of his size, but overall due to the opponent’s extremely confident run as the first point.

Ryan attacked regularly and methodically. I crushed the opponent, punched him with a punch and immediately looked for options for a power hit. First of all, I found a side kick on the trunk – it flew in the fourth round, as if copied from the same blow to Luke Campbell. But Fortuna stood up and spit out her mouth guard, taking more time for a break.

Then I had to run in circles from my colleague, who felt an early victory. On the fifth lap, this continued and he flew again from the same place – Javier again on his knee after a missed blow to the body, again spat his mouth guard and squirmed. But here, too, he lived to see Dominican gong. Boxing wasn’t as good as willpower.

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But it could not go on for long. The great opponent still found a way out – towards the temple and the third knockout in three rounds. The referee continued and did the right thing.

What’s next?

Globally, nothing has changed for Fortuna. Javier lost to favourite, albeit devastatingly. He’ll do a few more fights, if strength and health permit. The Dominican holds his shot well, but it’s not worth going to the same big opponents – it’s useless.

Ryan has an interesting scene in his career. It’s finally time for big fights. Garcia is ready both physically and mentally and will do anything to organize such a fight.

The American has been looking for Gervonta Davis for a fight for a long time – even before Fortune, she stated that she was ready to box with a compatriot. Then – there were negotiations between the teams. Then – after defeating Fortuna – he wanted to fight Gervonta as he demanded recognition: “I want to fight Gervonta Davis. I want to be appreciated. And I’ll kick your ass, you’ll see.”

This is potentially one of the biggest mega fights of 2022. The only thing is that Ryan isn’t sure he wants to stay in the lightweight category – he’s considering moving into the middleweight category and is confident Davis will meet him at the new weight.

But there is little logic in this, because Gervonta herself said that now lightness is the extreme for her and she will not rise anywhere.

However, men will definitely agree on the category. The main thing is to generally agree, because the duel is just super. Not the biggest, but extremely strong Gervonta, the heavyweight, but often missed Ryan Garcia. An intriguing match between boxers in their prime. Fiction.