Despite being knocked down early on, Ryan Garcia stopped Luke Campbell in the seventh round with a body shot.
Ryan Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) overcame being knocked down to stop Luke Campbell (20-4, 16 KOs) in the seventh round, becoming the new WBC interim lightweight champion. He’s in line to face champion Devin Haney (25-0, 15 KOs) but Garcia wasted no time calling out Gervonta Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) instead.
Garcia started the fight by pressing Campbell up against the ropes throwing some hard punches. Campbell was fighting well defensively landing jabs to the body, trying to time Garcia as he pressed towards him.
In the second round, Garcia continued the heavy pressure stalking Campbell against the ropes. A jab to the body dropped the guard of Garcia and a lunging left hand from Campbell dropped Garcia. “King Ry” beat the count and seemed to have recovered well, finishing the round strongly.
Garcia was by no means hesitant despite the knockdown, continuing to fight aggressively in the third forcing Campbell against the ropes. A right hand from Garcia staggered Campbell for a brief moment in the fourth.
Campbell had success catching Garcia with short hooks as he stepped into range. Both men landed some good punches in the fifth round, but Garcia landed a solid left hook that sent Campbell wobbling towards the ropes at the end of the round.
In the seventh round, a left hook from Garcia landed clean on the liver of Campbell and sent him down on one knee. It was clear Campbell was in a world of pain, and although he tried to get up he was unable to beat the count. This is the first time that Campbell has ever been knocked out, and it’s the first real marquee win of Garcia’s career.
Official result: Ryan Garcia def. Luke Campbell by TKO round 7, 1:58