2021 kicks off with a terrific Lightweight crossroads fight this afternoon (Sat., Jan. 2, 2021) as social media sensation Ryan Garcia throws down with Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell for the interim WBC title.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE coverage of this afternoon’ main event below. The DAZN-streamed broadcast (watch it here) kicks off at 3 p.m. ET, with Garcia and Campbell likely to make the walk closer to 6 p.m. ET.

The 22-year-old Garcia, viewed by some as one of the top young talents in the sport, viciously knocked out his last two opponents in a combined 2:58. He takes a considerable step up in competition against Campbell, however; the Englishman’s only unavenged losses came to multi-division champion Jorge Linares, to whom he fell by split decision in 2017, and the incomparable Vasiliy Lomachenko last year.

The winner will, alongside veteran Javier Fortuna, be in line to face Devin Haney for the full WBC title. That’s not to be confused with the “franchise” title recently taken by Teofimo Lopez. Don’t think about it too hard.

In earlier action, the Alvarado brothers, Rene and Felix, will defend their respective titles against Roger Gutierrez and former minimumweight champion DeeJay Kriel. Former women’s WBO super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn will be in action as well, taking on journeywoman Ashleigh Curry.

Garcia Vs. Campbell Quick Results:

Ryan Garcia vs. Luke Campbell — Garcia def. Campbell by KO at 1:58 of Round Seven
Rene Alvarado vs. Roger Gutierrez — Gutierrez def. Alvarado by unanimous decision (113-112 x3)
Felix Alvarado vs. DeeJay Kriel — Alvarado def. Kriel by TKO at 1:39 of Round 10

Garcia Vs. Campbell Round-By-Round Updates:

WBC Interim Lightweight Championship: Ryan Garcia vs. Luke Campbell

Round one: Garcia jabs the body to start. Left hook falls short as he tries to walk Campbell down. Campbell sends out jabs as well. Stuck in the corner early, circles out and fires to the body. Good left downstairs met by a Garcia jab. Good exchange and Garcia lands a cross. Halfway through. Three-piece goes high-low. Campbell launches a trio in return. Garcia backs him to the ropes, bounces punches off the guard. Campbell digs another left to the body. Good trade in the center and Garcia sticks his tongue out. Another body shot by Campbell. 10-9 Campbell.

Round two: Campbell with another left to the body. He’s getting his lead foot on the outside, lands another. Garcia tries a 1-2-3. Jab exchange. Left hook lands for him and he opens up on the ropes. Campbell goes low-high with left hands. He steps in at center ring and decks Garcia with an overhand left. It’s a pretty hard knockdown but he’s up in plenty of time. Straight left upstairs, staying patient. Overhand falls short. Garcia lands a hook to the body. Clinch. Nice little check hook connects. 10-8, 20-17 Campbell.

Round three: Trading jabs early in the round. Garcia tries a 1-2, lands a right to the body. Campbell jabs the body. Glancing overhand left by Campbell, who absorbs a 1-2. High-low from Garcia. Halfway through. Garcia lands a cross, eats a check hook. Body shot. Campbell goes low-high with his left hand. Garcia tries to open up in the corner. 1-2 from Campbell. Jab, overhand left soon after. Garcia goes to the body on the ropes. 10-9 Garcia, 29-27 Campbell.

Round four: Counter jab knocks Garcia back. 1-2 from Campbell, clinch. Garcia combo falls short. Campbell warned for a borderline low blow. Garcia tries a three-piece, has a two-piece come back. Another body shot by Campbell met by a 2-3. Good 1-2 by Garcia. Campebll with another body blow, absorbs a couple rights. Halfway through. Campbell body shot. Clinch. Again Campbell goes downstairs. Counter left up top. Clinch. Two more body shots, then another pair. Garcia fires, met by a left to the body. 10-9, 39-36 Campbell.

Round five: Fierce exchange in the center. Campbell with a stiff jab. Combination in close mostly blocked. 1-2 to the body. Garcia goes high-low with a 2-3. Campbell to the body, takes borderline low blows in return. Campbell tries a combo. Halfway through. 2-3. Garcia with a right to the body. Good lead right, overhand left comes back at him. Low-high 1-2 from Campbell. He tries a series of lefts. Good combination by Garcia. Hard check hook at the bell visibly hurts Campbell. 10-9 Garcia, 48-46 Campbell.

Round six: Garcia coming out slugging. Long flurries. Clinch. Campbell potshots in the center after surviving. Straight right by Garcia. Combination lands for Campbell. Body jabs. Garcia combo blocked. Halfway through. 1-2 by Garcia, who takes a three-piece in return. Campbell jabs the body. Garcia check hook, tries to tear into him on the ropes. Campbell blasts him with an overhand left and power jab in return. Body jab. Garcia with a hook downstairs. 10-9, 58-55 Campbell.

Round seven: Short trade in the center to start. Campbell jabs the body. Jabs upstairs. Garcia lands a right cross through the guard. Both land straights. Campbell to the body. Good left hook by Garcia, advancing on the ropes. Campbell right cross and body shot. 1-2 halfway through. Body shots met by a vicious one from Garcia that sends the Brit to his knees. He can’t beat the count and Garcia has the comeback knockout.

Final result: Garcia def. Campbell by KO

For more on “Garcia vs. Campbell” and other boxing-related events, click here.