Ryan Garcia vs Javier Fortuna fight details
One of boxing's biggest stars returns to the ring as unbeaten lightweight star Ryan Garcia takes on former world champion Javier Fortuna from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The fight can be seen worldwide, live and exclusively on DAZN.
After a 15-month layoff due to a broken wrist and mental health issues, Garcia returned in April when he dropped and defeated Emmanuel Tagoe by unanimous decision. Garcia and Fortuna were supposed to fight in July 2021, but the former pulled out due to his mental health.
Fortuna, a former two-division world champion, stayed on the show and lost a back-and-forth contest to Jo Jo Diaz by unanimous decision. The 32-year-old bounced back with a first-round knockout over Rafael Hernandez in February.
Garcia had been in talks to make a fight with Isaac Cruz. But they didn't go anywhere and Garcia went back to Fortuna. A win against Fortuna puts him in position to reignite talks to make a bout with fellow lightweight star Gervonta Davis.
“This was the fight I wanted, and now it’s time," Garcia said when the fight was announced. "I am so grateful to my friends, family, and especially my fans for their support. I have never felt better, stronger, and more motivated. It’s time to silence all the doubters, and it starts with Fortuna on July 16.”
Here is everything you need to know about Ryan Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna:
Date: Saturday, July 16
Venue: The fight takes place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Time: 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 1pm BST
Main event ringwalks (approx): 11pm ET / 8pm PT / 4am BST
The main card is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST with main event ringwalks scheduled for 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m PT / 4 a.m. BST. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard bouts.
TV / Live Streaming: DAZN
Ryan Garcia
Nationality: American
Born: August 8, 1998
Height: 5' 10"
Reach: 70"
Total fights: 22
Record: 22-0 with 18 knockouts
Javier Fortuna
Nationality: Dominican
Born: December 18, 1990
Height: 5' 6 1⁄2"
Reach: 68 1⁄2"
Total fights: 43
Record: 37-3-1, two no-contests with 26 knockouts
Predictions
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: "Still just 23 years old, Ryan Garcia is the fresher fighter of the two and 10 years Fortuna's junior. With the fight scheduled for 12 rounds, I'm quite certain Fortuna will either be knocked down or knocked out during that time. Garcia to win by knockout in the later rounds or via unanimous decision with a knockdown scored during the bout."
Running Order
Ryan Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna; Lightweights
Alexis Rocha vs. Luis Veron; Welterweights
Lamont Roach Jr. vs. Angel Rodriguez; WBA Junior Lightweight eliminator
Ricardo Sandoval vs. David Jimenez; WBA Flyweight eliminator
Oscar Collazo vs. Victorio Saludar; WBA Minimumweight eliminator
Diego De La Hoya vs. Enrique Bernache; Featherweights
Miguel Gaona vs. Jonathan Guzman; Lightweights
