By Jake Donovan
Ramon Garcia moved one step closer towards an attempt at a second title reign following a unanimous decision win over Mark Duran atop a 'Mexico v. Philippines'-themed show Saturday evening in Veracruz, Mexico.
The fight played to the old axiom, 'Win today, look good the next time.' Garcia controlled the action with his jab, never truly kicking it into another gear after realizing early that Duran wasn't going anywhere.
It was enough to give the southpaw his fourth straight win, also completing a clean sweep on the night for Mexico over the Philippines in boxing's fastest growing rivalry. Garcia's record improves to 20-4-1 (12KO), while Duran falls to 11-10-2, 5KO.
Garcia once served as a junior flyweight titlist, though the reign didn't last very long. The 31-year old was able to win his lone belt on the same night his twin brother, Raul Garcia, made the lone successful defense of his strawweight title.
Both brothers lost their belts later than year, within a two-month span of each other. They now both compete at the junior flyweight limit, though Ramon - with Saturday's win - is now being groomed for a future title shot versus defending 108 lb. titlist Adrian Hernandez, who defends his crown next month in Mexico.
On the undercard: former super flyweight titlst Tomas 'Gusano' Rojas (42-14-1, 27KO) was forced to work but eventually came through with an 8th round knockout of Philippine's Vergel Nebran (11-7-1, 6KO); Nery Sagulian (27-4-1, 10KO) scored a 10-round decision over Adonus Aguelo (20-9-2, 12KO).
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board, and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox