Charisma and star power are funny things. 

Ryan Garcia has plenty of both. After a 2021 knockout of Luke Campbell, the substance beneath those profitable intangibles began to emerge. Whether his talent is ultimately a match for his potential as a draw remains to be seen. 

Saturday (DAZN, 8 PM), Garcia gets what on paper should be one of his toughest assignments. Veteran Javier Fortuna has been around the block a time or two in his thirteen-year career and while he hasn’t won them all, he’s got a depth of experience Garcia is years from acquiring.

Could this be a trap fight for the younger man? 

Let’s get into it. 

Stats and Stakes

Ryan Garcia

Age: 23

Title/Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’10

Weight: 140 lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Los Angeles, California

Record: 22-0, 18 KO

Rankings: #5 (TBRB, Ring), #6 (ESPN), #10 (BoxRec)

Record in Major Title Fights: N/A

Last Five Opponents: 118-10-3 (.912)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Luke Campbell TKO7; Emanuel Tagoe UD12

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

Vs.

Javier Fortuna 

Age: 33

Title/Previous Titles: None*

Height: 5’6 ½   

Weight: 139 ¾ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: La Romana, Dominican Republic

Record: 37-3-1, 26 KO, 1 KOBY

Press Rankings: #9 (Ring), #10 (ESPN)

Record in Major Title Fights: 0-1 (2-3, 1 KO, 1 KOBY including interim or sub-title fights)

Last Five Opponents: 164-23-5 (.867)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Bryan Vasquez UD12; Robert Easter L12; Joseph Diaz L12

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Francisco Lorenzo NC1; Cristobal Cruz TKO2

*Held WBA subtitle 2015-16 at 130 lbs.

The Pick: Fortuna is a fighter who sometimes feels like he just missed on meeting what could have been his potential but remains a tricky, seasoned opponent. He fell short last year against Joseph Diaz but it was a good effort. If there can be a problem for Fortuna, it’s that sometimes he lacks urgency and can be caught fighting in spots. To win Saturday, he may need to bring the fight and look to stun Garcia early.    

The younger man has physical advantages that will factor big as the fight goes deeper. Garcia is taller and, fighting at 140 lbs., will likely be more comfortable on his long frame. Garcia should be the quicker man in the ring and carries real sting in his shots. Garcia can still be caught stepping straight back. At mid-range could have some real danger against Fortuna, but there’s more danger in the power of Garcia.

Fortuna’s best days were at Jr. lightweight. Garcia’s are likely ahead at Jr. welterweight and above meaning we have a rising young talent picking on a smaller veteran who can give him good looks without toppling the gravy train before it pours. Matchmaking doesn’t come much more standard than this in blue chip development. The pick is Garcia by mid-rounds stoppage.   

Rold Picks 2022: 33-9

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com