RYAN ‘KINGRY’ GARCIA TO MAKE DEBUT AGAINST FERNANDO VARGAS MAR 22
LOS ANGELES (Feb. 15, 2018): *Ryan “Kingry” Garcia *(13-0, 12 KOs), the
2017 consensus prospect of the year out of Victorville, Calif., will put
his Junior NABF Super Featherweight Title on the line in his first
headlining bout on the March 22 edition of*Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN
*at* Fantasy
Springs Resort Casino *in Indio, Calif. Garcia, a rising phenomenon of
modern boxing, will also fight for the vacant NABA USA Super Featherweight
Title as he faces the tough Mexican pugilist *Fernando Vargas* (32-15-3, 24
KOs) in this ten-round affair. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights
beginning at9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3
starting at 7:30
p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
Garcia has star potential written all over him. The 19-year-old won
multiple national championships as an amateur before turning professional
in 2016 at the age of 17. After several fights in Mexico and in the United
States, Garcia signed with Golden Boy Promotions to finish off the year.
Since then, he has won every fight by knockout, including a highlight-reel
knockout of Miguel Carrizoza to win the Junior NABF Super Featherweight
Title on the Sept. 15 edition of *Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN*. Garcia is
eager to defend his title for the second time in his headlining debut.
“I’m excited to fight on ESPN in my first main event fight,” said *Garcia.* “I
look forward to showing the fans a great fight as I continue to build the
“Kingry” Army. This is a big responsibility, and I appreciate the trust and
confidence Golden Boy Promotions has in me. This March 22, I will not
disappoint!”
“I have said from the minute we signed him that Ryan Garcia has the
potential to be the next megastar in the sport of boxing,” said Golden Boy
Promotions Chairman and CEO*Oscar De La Hoya. *”Ryan is charismatic, has an
incredible amateur pedigree and has one-punch knockout power. He is the
real deal.”
Vargas is an aggressive brawler from Tijuana, Mexico. Vargas has fought the
likes of Horacio* “El Violento” Garcia, *current world champion* Jamie
McDonnell,* and has a victory against former world titlist *Wilfredo
Vasquez, Jr.* The 29-year-old will look to derail Garcia’s rise with an
upset victory.
“We are ready to take on this big challenge,” said *Vargas. *”We know that
Ryan [Garcia] is a good fighter and that he is following in the footsteps
of Oscar De La Hoya. We know that the fight is tough, but winning it is not
impossible. We will come well prepared and ready for the upset.”
In the televised co-main event, two tough contenders will battle it out for
a chance to rise in the 147-pound rankings. *KeAndre “The Truth”
Gibson* (18-1-1,
7
Louis, Mo. will face *Eddie “EBoy” Gomez *(20-3, 11 KOs) of the Bronx, N.Y.
in a 10-round fight. Both are coming off a tough challenge in a common
opponent, *Alejandro “El Elegido” Barrera* on previous editions of *Golden
Boy Boxing on ESPN.*
*Joet Gonzalez* (18-0, 10 KOs), the Glendora, Calif. native who developed
into a legitimate contender in 2017, will battle *Rolando Magbanua* (26-6,
18 KOs) of Cotabato, Phillipines in a scheduled 10-round fight in the
126-pound division. Gonzalez, who was a decorated amateur before turning
professional, is coming of a third-round knockout victory against the
experienced Isao Carranza, where he utterly destroyed the Mexico native.
East Los Angeles, Calif.’s *Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro* (12-0, 6 KOs) will
take on *Cesar Valenzuela* (7-2, 2 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in an
eight-round 140-pound fight. *Raul “El Cugar” Curiel* (2-0, 1 KO), the
welterweight prospect who participated in the 2016 Olympic Games
representing Mexico, will return in the six-round swing fight against
*Quantavious
Green* (1-1, 1 KO) of Shreveport, La.
*Emilio Sanchez* (16-0, 11 KOs) of Pacoima, Calif. will return in an
eight-round super bantamweight fight against a soon-to-be-announced
opponent in the first bout of the evening. Sanchez is an explosive puncher
who is inching closer toward a regional title.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, Feb. 16 at 10:00 a.m. PT and start
at $25. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box
office, by calling 1-800-827-2946 <(800)%20827-2946>, or by purchasing
online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com
.
