LAS VEGAS, NV - It will have been 10 months since Hector Luis Garcia (16-1) last fought when he steps in the ring against Lamont Roach (23-1-1) on Saturday night. The fight takes place at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas strip on the David Benavidez-Demetrius Andrade Showtime produced pay-per-view undercard. 

The WBA super featherweight champion has eagerly counted down the days to what will be his first fight since his stoppage loss to Gervonta “Tank” Davis in January. 

That fight took place in the lightweight division. This will be the first defense of the title he won in August of last year against Roger Gutierrez in Florida.  

Garcia, who fights under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, believes that a win over Roach will get him back in the mix for the biggest fights possible in the 130 pound division. 

“Lamont Roach is a great fighter and I will not underestimate him. He is the WBA mandatory challenger for a reason and I expect him to enter the ring with the hunger to become world champion.

“However, I am ready to defend my title with honor and pride and put on a spectacular show. I hope that after November 25th, doors will open for me to unify titles,”

Garcia told BoxingScene.com. 

The Bob Santos trained fighter understands that the politics of boxing sometimes get in the way of making fights but hopes he will be able to fight the rest of the division’s champions regardless of their promotional affiliations. 

“Boxing is a sport based on opportunities and those opportunities aren’t always determined by the fighter but rather often times are determined by the promoter,” said Garcia. 

“My focus right now is to defend my  title and then unify against any other champion. That is my only focus at the moment and then whatever happens afterwards we can talk about then.”

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