By Scott Christ
February 27, 2022
Source: Bad Left Hook
Photo Source: Hector Garcia pulled a stunner, upsetting Chris Colbert on Showtime Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
Hector Garcia scored a huge upset over Chris Colbert, and Fernando Martinez got a big one himself to win the IBF junior bantamweight title from Jerwin Ancajas.
Hector Garcia shocked the world tonight on Showtime, pulling off a huge upset win over Chris Colbert in their WBA 130 lb eliminator in Las Vegas.
Garcia, who was a +1100 underdog at DraftKings Sportsbook, didn’t just win, he dominated the fight over 12 rounds, taking scores of 118-109, 118-109, and 119-108. Bad Left Hook had the fight 118-109 for Garcia, too.
Garcia (15-0, 10 KO) was a late sub, replacing WBA titleholder Roger Gutierrez, who withdrew three weeks ago due to COVID. He was an Olympian for the Dominican Republic in 2016 and had a lot of amateur experience, but he turned pro late and hadn’t done anything of real note in the paid ranks.
But he definitely arrived tonight at age 30. The southpaw started well, but it did seem like Colbert (16-1, 6 KO) was feeling things out, and when he flashed his hand speed, he had a clear, expected advantage there. A big, big advantage. But Garcia was doing some consistent work, going to the body, putting the old water in the basement, and just kept putting pressure on. Everyone tries to pressure Colbert, and Colbert also usually fights well off the ropes, even if it’s ill-advised.
Tonight he learned very well why it’s ill-advised. Garcia was clearly prepared for Colbert’s tactics and made sure to keep his hands moving when Colbert went to the ropes. Not everything got through, but plenty did, and just as important, it kept Colbert from doing anything.
The fight was going Garcia’s way, but in that manner a boxing fan can be worried about what the judges may be scoring. Listen, we were hours removed from Taylor-Catterall, we were all keenly aware of what can happen in boxing. But then in the seventh round, Garcia drilled Colbert with a shot that put him on the canvas, and it was no flash knockdown. Colbert never quite got back into the fight from there, and spent the last few rounds merely surviving, no longer engaging at all with Garcia.
The judges got this one right, and we got a major upset. “When I was told three weeks ago about this fight, I knew my life would change,” Garcia said via interpreter. Garcia credited trainer Ismael Salas — who was not in his corner tonight — and confirmed that he does indeed want the WBA title shot at Roger Gutierrez next, which is his to take.
“He was just the better man. I’ll take my defeats the way I take my losses, like a man. I’ll keep my head up and I want to run it back, let’s do it again. There’s no excuses. I just wasn’t myself. I want to get a rematch if I can.”
Colbert congratulated Garcia personally, and thanked him for taking the fight on short notice. He said he’d come back strong. He’s not likely to get an immediate rematch, obviously, but if he gets back to it, there’s no reason he can’t bounce back from this.
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