Eridson Garcia is hoping to parlay his knockout win this past weekend into a world title opportunity at 130lbs.
Garcia, 21-1 (13 KOs), stretched his winning streak to four on Saturday with a third round knockout of Cristian Perez Hernandez to win the WBO NABO junior lightweight title, a regional belt that usually brings its holder a world ranking with that sanctioning body. Garcia, a 31-year-old from the Dominica Republic, is already rated no. 13 by the WBA at 130lbs, and is likely to enter the rankings for the WBO as well.
“I put in a strong performance. This victory should give me a great opportunity for a world title fight,” said Garcia in a press release, adding that he has also joined TKO Boxing's boxing promotion as well.
The loss was the second by knockout in the last three fights for the 27-year-old Perez, who was making his United States debut after a career built in Mexico.
Garcia’s latest streak has been built mostly in Texas, with one fight, a unanimous decision over William Foster III coming in New Jersey. Those wins come after the lone blemish of his career, a first round knockout loss to Jordan White. Garcia’s promoter Bobby Harrison of BiYu Promotions feels his fighter has been overlooked.
“The neglect shown by sanctioning bodies towards Eridson has been a gross oversight on their part,” said Harrison.
“He has one blemish on his record - a fluke, one punch KO by Jordan White before they were even sweating. The way Eridson has been punished for that one punch by everyone is a travesty to him and the sport overall.
“He has otherwise been dominant. He is one of the best 130-135 pound boxers in the world and he deserves to be able to prove it. Hopefully that happens soon.”