Kenny Galarza Talks Irving Garcia Clash, Camp, More

By Ryan Burton

 

Heavy handed Puerto Rican prospect Kenny Galarza (14-1 14KOs) returns to the ring on June 10th when he faces fellow Puerto Rican Irving Garcia (17-6-3 8 KOs).  This will be the 25 year old's stiffest test to date. The all Puerto Rican clash will be televised by ESPN.  Galarza talks to BoxingScene about the Garcia fight, fighting on the weekend of the Puerto Rican Day parade and more in this exclusive interview.

 

Boxingscene:  Tell us about your upcoming fight versus Irving Garcia.

 

Kenny Galarza:  I feel good and I hope that I can show the world what I can do in this fight.  Everyone knows that when I fight I bring it because I am a warrior in the ring.  This is the type of fight that I like.  It is the type of fight where I can really show what I can do.

 

Boxingscene:  How do you feel about fighting on the weekend of the Puerto Rican Day parade?

 

Kenny Galarza:  I am very proud to have the opportunity.  I feel very humbled by the opportunity.  I know there are a lot of Puerto Ricans in New York and I know they like good fights so this is a big opportunity for me to show them what I am made of.

 

Boxingscene:  Most of the other Puerto Rican boxers who are fighting on June 10th and 11th are facing boxers from other countries.  Your opponent Irving Garcia is also a Puerto Rican.  You and Garcia are from different areas in Puerto Rico.  Do you think that will add a little something extra to your fight as there are bound to be fans from both areas at your fight?

 

Kenny Galarza:  I would have preferred to face someone who isn't Puerto Rican.  Even though we are from different areas, we are from the same country.  I am a professional and I know Irving is also a professional so we both have to represent Puerto Rico, just on different sides.  We are both representing Puerto Rico on that day and we both will put on a good show for the Puerto Ricans that are going to be there.

 

Boxingscene:  You are known for your power.  All 14 of your wins have came by knockout.  Do you plan on getting a 15th knockout on June 10th?

 

Kenny Galarza:  I feel that I storm my opponents round by round and not just by one punch.  I think its the combinations I throw along with my speed.  I don't think that Irving Garcia will go down by just one punch.  I don't think that is what will knock him out.  I feel that I will have to wear him down and maybe by the 10th round I will finish him.  I am not going to look for the knockout but my speed and power may catch him by the 10th and overwhelm him.

 

Boxingscene:  At some point would you like a rematch with Brad Solomon, the only fighter who has beaten you?

 

Kenny Galarza:  Yes.  I feel that now that I am with my new promoters (Javier Bustillo, Gary Shaw and Lou DiBella) and that if I keep winning my fights that sooner or later we will have to meet again in the ring and I am looking forward to that happening.  I want to avenge my only loss.

 

Boxingscene:  You mentioned being promoted by Bustillo, Shaw and DiBella.  How important is it for fighters in Puerto Rico to have another promotional company that they can sign with?

 

Kenny Galarza:  Having three well known promoters like Lou, Gary and Javier does help a lot.  Now we have the opportunity to fight not only in Puerto Rico but in the States as well.  I have seen a lot of enthusiasm from all three of them (promoters) in Puerto Rico.  That is why I felt that I should sign with them.  I have the opportunity to fight anywhere in the world.

 

Boxingscene:  Do you have a message for the fans?

 

Kenny Galarza:  I want to let the fans know that I am back.  I have been inactive in the past but I will be back on June 10th.  It will be my night.  It will be the reincarnation of Kenny Galarza.  I will show speed and power to the people watching on TV and to the people who are at the fight that night.