Story: Dennis Kweku Moore, boxing writer, analyst
INTRODUCTION:
“Go placidly amidst the noise and realize how peace there is in silence”.
This quote from “the desiderata” will introduce me to the much anticipated showdown between Ghana’s Emmanuel “Game Boy” Tagoe and Ryan “The Flash”Garcia.
The lightweight division continues to breed intense rivalry in its fold- quickly competing with the most prestigious division in boxing now – welterweight hub. The likes of Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, Isaac Cruz, Richard commey, Jorge Linares, Gervonta “Tank” Davis amongst others wants to establish ring dominance and relegate cash to the background.
Two Ghanaians have plunged deep into this lightweight “symphony orchestra”-Richard commey and Emmanuel Tagoe.
God has granted these two pugilists the divine favours in their respective career pursuits with Commey tasting the gloves of Loma. This time round, the pendulum has shifted to yet another quality Ghanaian boxer, Emmanuel Tagoe “Game Boy ” who has been attracted by one of the division’s sweet scented petals- Ryan Garcia to share honours on April 9th.
Preview:
Garcia held the interim lightweight title from January to May,2021. As of October,2021 he was ranked as the world’s fifth best active Lightweight by the Ring Magazine.
“The Flash” as he is nicknamed has a CV of 21-21-18KOs. Absolutely impressive.
Garcia started boxing at the age of 7 and as a 15 time amateur champion,he rolled in a record of 215-15.
Turning Pro just five years on at age 17 on June 9th 2016 is tremendous and phenomenal.
Rising up the ranks, he had already KOed another durable weight mate, Romero Duno in a fifth round devastating fashion. That was an undercard on the Canelo- Kovalev main event.
On the valentine’s day massacre, precisely 14th February,2020 commentators on the night couldn’t come to terms with the spectacular performance they were witnessing – referring to Garcia as this kid is “a superstar”.
His latest outing stemmed from an unbelievable comeback after a 4 seconds visit to the canvas to deliver a life threatening livershot stoppage on former 2012 Olympic Gold medalist and British pride Luke Campbell.
Three fights would be deeply analyzed subsequently and to predict how the American boxer will inflict harm on his foe.
Tagoe:
The hardworking Ghanaian should be proud wherever he is now. Undoubtedly,he has raised up high the flag of Ghana and has, in a flash, registered Ghana’s name on the top log sheet.
The 32 year old is currently ranked 10th by the WBC since defeating Geraldo Robbles in 2013.
His last fight was on November 27th,2020 against former WBO/NABO champion Mason Menard in a 10 round lightweight contest ending in favour of the “Game Boy” through a majority decision.
But of course notwithstanding your opposition, winning 32 fights in a row is a printable achievement.
Tagoe’s crowning moments in the ring probably was just after the Ashie fight where his confidence level manifested.
He was able to score two knockdowns in the first round against former World champion Mzonke Fana for the vacant IBO Lightweight belt on 2nd December,2016 at the Bukom Boxing Arena and finally secured a win via UD.Infact Fana collapsed in his corner after the final bell requiring immediate medical attention.
Tagoe has written his winning scripts over the likes of Ronald Pontillas in 2013, Robles 2013, Delos Reyes 2015, Alan Kamote 2015, Carlo Magali 2015, David Saucedo 2018, Paulus Moses 2018, and recently against Menard Mason 2020.
ANALYSIS:
After having followed these two pugilists sufficiently, I have no iota of skepticism that the Ghanaian is the underdog in this fight. No doubt.
Statistically, Garcia has fought better and quality opponents. No doubt about that.
I will be forced to elaborate and analyze a bit on just three boxers Garcia has engaged and the result was venomous.
First on my list is Romero Duno. Garcia entered this particular fight as an underdog. And a masterpiece of ring show by the 17 year old then, was superlative- disregarding respect for impudence. His power. His jabs.His chin and footwork were all exquisite on the night. Duno was stunned in the early part of the duel and astonishingly succumbed to the teenage power in the fifth round. That fight was on the Canelo-Kovalev main event.
Again, it was a valentine’s day massacre on February 14th, 2020. Very recent. Garcia had handed down a painful pill down the throat of fight favourite, Francisco Fonseca via KO in the first round. Fonseca couldn’t believe the punishment he took from this “high school”teenager. Garcia’s rendition of power is not debatable. Fact.
Now, this could explain, perhaps, how dangerous Garcia is. This fight exhibited raw power. Exhibits of vicious jab delivery. And grit.
The Fantasy Springs Resort California was the centre of attraction. Luke Campbell had promised to make a statement. And he did. A perfect left jab in the early rounds sent Garcia flat on his butts. He had tasted the first knockdown in his career. This could never be attributed to the Covid he contracted before the fight. Never.
But the quickness and steadiness with which he rose from the canvas was telling. He drove the fight into the 7th and alas the trademark “canelo like” vicious livershot registered on the midsection of Campbell. That was Campbell’s first visit as well.
In effect, Garcia posseses the speed, knockout mentality, aggression and the 100% intent of taking out any opponent within the first 6 rounds.
He has confirmed his fastness on the speed bag with 99 punches in 10 seconds. Jake Paul did 99.
Emmanuel Tagoe is already respected by Garcia. A huge plus for the Ghanaian.
I watched most of Tagoe’s fights. Three of Tagoe’s opponents I would touch on are Mzonke Fana, Paulus Moses and Menard Mason.
With 51 fights, 38 wins and 16 KOs on his CV, Mzonke Fana paired up with Tagoe in one of the most attracted showdowns in Accra. Tagoe won through the UD. His jabs on the night was not convincing. Infront of his home crowd, the native Ghana was shaken at times by the visiting Mzonke.
Tagoe progressed by getting a difficult engagement with Namibia’s Paulus Moses (the hitman) 47-40-25KOs 6 losses. Moses had previously fought the likes of Jorge Luis Rodriguez, knocked out Mzonke Fana,and rumbled with Ricky Burns. It was really a tough and busy night for the Ghanaian.
33 year old Menard Mason from the United States -36-16KOs-13 losses, who had previously fought credibles like Haney,Teofimo and Raymundo Beltran also succumbed to the Ghanaian. Tagoe fought good. A deserved UD victory over the American.
Predictions:
Garcia has got the power. And that power resides in the left hand. Garcia’s jab has the potency to floor any opponent. No wonder he has warned Tagoe to “keep his hands up at all times”. A meme he shared just on the 28th of March,2022 on his Twitter page.
Garcia is ahead of Tagoe in speed, aggression and power punches. This cannot be debated. Age is on his side. Being CANELO”s “baby” he knows what CANELO wants- that livershot.
Garcia’s movement is accurate, always the aggressor until he sees danger. Standing toe to toe with Garcia can never be part of Tagoe’s strategies. No.
Now, Tagoe is swift. He has the ability to move erratically wherever he wants. His facial cover is suspect. I always have a problem with the power in his jabs. He is yet to respond to a livershot in his lifetime. Tagoe’s “jumping punches” should not be seen in this fight. Tagoe needs a lot of stamina since he would be on the run at all times.
All boxing pundits I have interviewed acknowledge the fact that Tagoe is the underdog.
As Ghanaians we believe in patriotism and “I believe with God he will win” attitude. These are facts. These are books being referred to. This is Ryan Garcia, 5th in the pound for pound ranking in the lightweight division. Remember,Commey is 4th.
An interesting fight it is going to be. I am predicting that this fight may not last the distance. Yes,.
Tagoe’s only consolation in this fight is to knockout Garcia. For me,it is impossible.
Ryan wins via knockout in the first half of the fight.
boxing Ghana ®