Countdown for Ryan “KingRy” Garcia in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif.-Southern California’s Ryan Garcia stands poised and calm much like an astronaut atop a billion-dollar rocket headed for outwardly destinations.

It’s countdown time.

A remarkably sedate Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) sat comfortably next to Nicaragua’s Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KOs) his next foe on Friday Feb. 14, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. DAZN will stream the WBC Silver lightweight title clash.

For nearly four years Garcia has blitzed by nearly everyone he’s faced inside the boxing ring with an array of weaponry and blinding speed that gets more impressive with every outing.

But it’s not just his fighting skills that attract attention. Several thousand fans of all generations are expected to fill the seats at the arena, especially those below the age of 22. It’s the reason he signed with a powerful talent agency. He’s more than a prizefighter, but it’s prizefighting that has brought him the attention.

“I’ve sacrificed a lot of things to become a better fighter,” Garcia said on Wednesday during a press conference.

His next foe hails from Central America and previously performed well against two world champions.

A year ago, Fonseca fought Tevin Farmer for the IBF super featherweight title and lost a decision to the speedy southpaw. A year earlier he met Gervonta “Tank” Davis and exchanged furious blows with the champion who failed to make weight. Though he was stopped in the eighth round, he was hit repeatedly behind the neck with illegal blows by Davis who was not warned or penalized for the infractions. After the fight, Fonseca’s team tried to have the stoppage overturned due to the poor refereeing by Russell Mora who allowed the hits behind the head from Davis. The Nevada State Athletic Commission dismissed the request.

Nicaragua’s Fonseca is an extremely dangerous foe.

“I’m excited to be here,” said Fonseca. “I am ready to triumph.”

Nineteen of Fonseca’s former foes never heard the final bell. He’s a punishing puncher who can end the fight with a single blow. But so can Garcia.

The last time “the Flash” Garcia entered the boxing ring many expected the Victorville, California youngster to meet his toughest test against Filipino slugger Romero Duno. That fight lasted 1:38 as Garcia unleashed blows with such speed that only replays in slow motion revealed how the end came. It was a blur of violence similar to watching a fireworks display on Fourth of July.

Garcia, a mere 21, has proceeded to pass each test though some have been bumpy. Yet his calmness and focus seem to be laser sharp since he teamed with trainers Eddy and Jose Reynoso. Now he lives with his entire family in the San Diego area and his craft seems to have entered a higher level.

It’s another pivotal moment.

A crowd has gathered with champions of various weight classes eager to face the youngster with the movie star looks. Recently when Golden Boy Promotion’s CEO Oscar De La Hoya tweeted possibilities of a Garcia and Gervonta Davis matchup, he was countered with a speedy reply from the lightweight from Baltimore.

All it takes is another victory by the tall Southern Californian to enter stage two for the rocket that is Garcia.

“Ryan Garcia is only 21 and a contender on the verge of winning a world title,” said De La Hoya.

Garcia calmly sat alongside De La Hoya, Fonseca and others with little emotion or signs of distress. It’s almost lift-off time and why waste energy?

“Francisco Fonseca is a tough fighter, and this gives everyone a chance to see how good I am,” said Garcia matter-of-factly. “I’m ready, so let’s show everyone that boxing is here to stay.”

It’s launch time.

Cobbs

Also on the Golden Boy fight card will be Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (13-0-1, 9 KOs) who meets Ghana’s Samuel Kotey (23-2, 16 KOs) in a welterweight clash set for 10 rounds. The African fighter promises extermination.

Cobbs seemed caught by surprise at the venomous prediction by Kotey.

“The most exciting man in boxing is here to take over the welterweight division and I’m here to stay,” said Cobbs, 30, a southpaw training in Las Vegas.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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