LOS ANGELES – Ryan Garcia had to force the action in his last fight against Emmanuel Tagoe, having to chase the Ghanaian contender around the ring to press the issue. 

Garcia is expecting a different script to unfold against Javier Fortuna when he takes on the former world titlist on July 16 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on DAZN.

“He’s a dirty veteran with a lot of dirty tricks up his sleeve. He might try to headbutt me. He might try to elbow me. I expect him to try and make it a rough fight to throw me off my game. I have to try to not be emotional and just fight. I don’t think he can throw hands with me,” Garcia told BoxingScene.com and other reporters during a recent media gathering. 

“I’m actually very excited for this fight. I love to be in the pocket. I love to stay right there because I’m very comfortable dodging punches and countering. I don’t mind a guy moving either. But I mostly prefer a guy trying to win the fight. Fortuna is going to bring it. He’s going to bring it out of me. I love that. That’s how boxing is.”

The soon-to-be 24-year-old Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) is nine years younger than Fortuna (37-3-1, 1 ND; 26 KOs) and has 20 fewer professional fights. 

Fortuna hasn't had good fortune whenever he's stepped it up in competition. His losses have come to the likes of Joseph Diaz Jr., Robert Easter Jr., and Jason Sosa. Although the 33-year-old’s resume is lacking a hallmark win, Garcia still expects the Dominican to deliver a tough test. 

“He’s a rugged veteran who tries to rough you up and tries to get his combinations off. I know what I am going to do to him. I’m just going to do it. I see a couple of things that ‘if you keep doing that, it might not be too good for you.’”

Garcia and Fortuna were originally supposed to fight last summer but Garcia stepped away from the sport to focus on his mental health. Fortuna eventually kept the date and lost to replacement opponent Diaz via unanimous decision. 

“I think [that the result is going to be worse for him now that a year has passed since when we were originally supposed to fight]. He’s going to get caught with the same shot, no matter what,” said Garcia. 

“I just have to stay calm in the chaos. Everything will open up. He will slow down, and real boxing will occur. I’ll start timing him. It doesn’t matter. I’ll make my adjustments in the ring. I’m a much better fighter. That I do know.” 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.