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Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia 21-0 (18) is excited to be returning to the ring against Emmanuel ‘The Gameboy’ Tagoe 32-1 (15) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old Californian has not been in the ring since a career-best victory over former world title challenger Luke Campbell 20-4 (16) in January last year.
Garcia got off the canvas in the second round to stop the British southpaw in the seventh frame before taking time away from the ring to deal with mental health issues. It was the first time Campbell had been stopped.
“Boxing is part of me. I have been doing this since I was seven years old and I am good at it. I know that I still have a lot left to give to the sport,” Garcia said.
“I feel pretty safe in the ring. I am not taking a beating. Even in sparring I don’t feel like I am getting hit with a lot of shots. And fortunately, I am healthy enough to continue to fight at a high level and give fans some amazing fights. I feel great and I am going to make every day count.
“I miss everything about boxing: the competition, the contact, destroying someone. Seeing the shot; knowing where it is going to land; knowing that the timing is just perfect. I just love to fight and just be better than the person in front of me.”
The 33-year-old Tagoe from Ghana hasn’t been defeated since his pro debut.
“Tagoe is a veteran, he is going to try his best to keep me off of him, to survive. His goal, I think, is to not get knocked out,” Garcia said.
“I know he has been saying that facing me will be easy. But I can say one thing, my job is to not make his life easy in that ring. Fans should be ready to see me give this fight everything I got. If he can take a shot, it will be a good fight. If he can’t, he will be out of there very quick.
“This is going to be an exciting fight from me. You can expect timing and explosion. I don’t look to toss someone around for a couple of rounds. If I land a good one, you can expect that I am going to be looking to take someone out.”
Tagoe says he won’t simply be looking to survive, but to finish off Garcia within the distance.
“I think I have the tools to knockout Ryan on Saturday. This fight is an opportunity for me to showcase myself,” Tagoe said.
“I came here to knock out Ryan Garcia. I think he’s good but he’s not my size. I can’t wait for Saturday. I’m going to show everyone.
“Training camp was good and I’m happy with this fight. Everyone is going to like this fight. I come to win with a knockout or no knockout. I waited for this opportunity. To all of Garcia’s fans, watch out for Saturday.”
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