Was Ryan Garcia prepared for the toughest fight of his career or would the formidable veteran Luke Campbell prove to be too much for the budding superstar?
The answer is for your interpretation, after last night.
In a gripping lightweight fight, Campbell landed a left hook in round two to floor Garcia.
Some asked how the much-hyped Garcia might respond to adversity and while he fought on emotion, he found answers.
Within two rounds after a heavy left hook put Garcia on his back…he got up, took the fight to his rival and won all rounds in the aftermath.
Campbell survived a tough attack in the fifth, but a well-placed brutal body shot ended the contest two rounds later.
The reaction from Garcia’s team – including his gym partner ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – was at first of relief, but quickly turned into jubilation.
They knew the kid had made a statement.
In beating a fighter of Campbell’s pedigree – and by rising from the canvas to do so – this win served up plenty of answers about Garcia.
Garcia is the first man to beat Campbell by stoppage. Shortly after the fight Campbell told Garcia in his dressing room that he punched harder than anyone he had ever faced.
Garcia’s stoppage win will add to the kind of hype which will bring new fans to the sport for years to come.
Recovered from knockdown and wins in dramatic fashion 👏 #GarciaCampbell 🥊https://t.co/fDt2YRTOSE
— The Voice of One! (@jeolmoz2) January 3, 2021
Ryan is a good fighter, he needs to work on that defense, but he is must-see TV.
After his tremendous knockout victory and winning the Lightweight Title, Ryan Garcia Called Out Tank Davis After Stopping Luke Campbell.
But I don’t think it would be good to put Garcia in with Tank Davis at the moment.
#GarciaCampbell 👏 🥊 pic.twitter.com/DC4R7ksNJU
— The Voice of One! (@jeolmoz2) January 3, 2021