A huge upset on his undercard somewhat overshadowed Jaime Munguia’s return to winning ways.
On Friday night, the Mexican fighter bounced back from his defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez by stopping Erik Bazinyan in the tenth round of an entertaining scrap at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Munguia now boasts a 44-1 pro boxing recordEsther Lin/PBC
However, Ricardo Fernandez was the name on everyone’s lips after the event.
The Bolivian, who fights out of Spain, entered his latest bout with a 15-13 record and next to no chance of beating rising Top Rank prospect Alan Garcia.
Garcia carried a perfect 14-0 record into the fight and looked like the much better boxer as he used his height, strength and fitness advantages to establish a commanding lead.
The 21-year-old swept the first four rounds on all three judges’ scorecards – but he made a massive mistake that led to his first lost in the fifth frame.
Garcia switched his stance to southpaw and dropped his left hand, which gave Fernandez the opening to land the perfect punch and change his life forever.
Fernandez stepped in with a monstrous overhand right that instantly knocked out Garcia – who was wide open because he was trying to counter – and sent him flying through the ropes.
Garcia laid motionless for a moment before trying to get back up – but he barely got his back off the canvas, and it was decided he was in no fit state to continue.
“I took advantage [of the change] to land an overhand right,” Fernandez said post-fight.
“A good overhand right. I felt it. I felt my knuckle. I felt the excitement.
“I trained hard for this. I worked for this.
Fernandez caught Garica with the perfect punch in round fiveTop Rank Boxing – YouTube
The 21-year-old prospect was out cold before he hit the floorTop Rank Boxing – YouTube
“I saw his eyes. I saw he wasn’t getting up.”
Fernandez is not known for his punching power. Garcia is just the second person he’s KO’d during his 29-fight career, which just got a lot more interesting.
The 31-year-old made a cross sign while retreating to a neutral corner for the 10-count before dedicating his win to people who were unable to see his greatest moment live.
“That [sign] was for my grandma, all my family up in heaven who believed in me, all of my [boxing] heroes,” Fernandez added.
“I looked up and saw Julio Cesar Chavez. I didn’t expect to see him there.”
Garcia issued a statement on social media following his first loss.
“I take my losses like I take my wins. Chin up, chest out,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Thank you to every single person who tuned in and also reached out.
“I got caught. It’s boxing. Congratulations to my opponent.
“Back to the drawing boards to work on things and I’ll be back.
“The crowd was amazing tonight. All love for AZ!!!
“God is forever the greatest and I’m blessed to do what I love.”
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