Ryan Garcia Scores first round Knockout Win Against Fernando Vargas

Published by Shawn C.

INDIO, CALIF. (March 22, 2018): Rising sensation *Ryan “The Flash”
Garcia* (13-0,
7 KOs) exceeded all expectations in his headlining debut as he scored an
explosive first-round knockout win against Tijuana, Mexico’s *Fernando
Vargas* (33-16-3, 24 KOs) to defend his Junior NABF Super Featherweight
Title in the main event of the March 22 edition of *Golden Boy Boxing on
ESPN* and in front of a sold-out crowd of 1,807 boxing fans at *Fantasy
Springs Resort Casino* in Indio, Calif. After calmly measuring Vargas for
most of the first round, the pride of Victorville, Calif. landed a
three-punch combination that finished Vargas at 2:55 of the same round.

“Vargas is a rugged veteran,” said *Ryan Garcia.* “I thought the fight
could go 10 rounds, so I relaxed and started slow with the jab. But then I
landed my right hand and it really stunned him. I landed it again, and
because he moved in exactly the same way, I was able to set up the left
hook that knocked him out. I can’t wait to come back and fight again.”

In tonight’s co-main event, *Eddie “Eboy” Gomez* (20-3, 12 KOs) of The
Bronx, N.Y. knocked out *KeAndre “The Truth” Gibson* (18-2-1, 7 KOs) of St.
Louis, Mo in the second round of a welterweight fight originally scheduled
for 10 rounds. Gomez landed a powerful counter right hand that stiffened
and dropped Gibson, who was no longer allowed to continue at :54 of the
second round.

“I saw that he kept dropping his hands after he jabbed,” said *Eddie Gomez*.
“So, I waited for that and landed the right hand cleanly. I was patient,
and when he threw punches, I saw every punch clearly. Training camp was
long and hard, so now I can finally breathe and relax.”

Irish welterweight prospect *Aaron “Silencer” McKenna* (2-0, 1 KO)
blasted *Jose
Palacios* (1-2, 1 KO) of Chihuahua, Mexico via knockout in the first round
of a scheduled four-round super welterweight fight in tonight’s televised
swing bout.

“I’m feeling terrific and happy with my performance,” said *Aaron
McKenna.* “I’m
glad to have been given a great performance on my ESPN debut. Once I hit
him and he felt my power, I knew he didn’t want any more.”

Featherweight contender *Joet Gonzalez* (19-0, 11 KOs) of Glendora, Calif.
scored a fifth-round knockout victory against *Rolando Magbanua* (26-7, 18
KOs) of Cotabato, Philippines. Though the fight was originally scheduled
ten rounds, Gonzalez’s power was too much for Magbanua, who was stopped at
2:06 of the fifth round.

*”*He [Magbanua] came out strong with power shots,” said *Joet Gonzalez.* “He
tried to get me to open up and exchange. But I stuck to the game plan and
kept boxing. Eventually, I wore him down and dropped him with an uppercut
and a hook. He was a little wobbly after he got back up, so the referee
stopped the fight.”

*Raul “El Cugar” Curiel* (3-0, 2 KOs) scored a second-round knockout
victory against*Quantavious Green* (1-2, 1 KO) of Shreveport, LA. After
Curiel dropped Green twice with body shots, the fight was stopped at 1:29 of
the second round.

“My trainers worked on hitting the body and camp,” said *Raul Curiel.* “We
saw that he was struggling to make weight, so we aimed for the body even
more. I’m ready for whatever is coming. We want to stay busy.”

In a surprising upset victory, Filipino pugilist *Eugene Lagos* (13-5-2, 8
KOs) scored a one-punch knockout victory against Pacoima, Calif.’s *Emilio
“The Kid” Sanchez* (16-1, 11 KOs) at: 35 of the second round of a scheduled
eight-round super bantamweight fight.

“I’m really happy about my victory,” said *Eugene Lagos.* “I won today
because of my hard work and discipline.”

*Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro* (13-0, 7 KOs) of East Los Angeles, Calif.
scored a TKO victory at 2:58 of the second round of a scheduled eight-round
welterweight fight against Gabriel* Gutierrez* (5-7, 3 KOs) of El Paso,
Texas.

“I felt great. I was just getting warmed up,” said *Jonathan Navarro.* “I
felt the referee stopped it too quick. I know I got with him four or
straight fight shots, so I understand why he stopped it.”

*Garcia vs. Vargas *was 10-round fight for the Junior NABF Featherweight
Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event was sponsored by
Tecate, “*THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING*” and Hennessy, “*Never Stop, Never
Settle.”* The fights took place on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Fantasy
Springs Resort Casino.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com
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