Garcia targets WBO Latino Lightweight title against unbeaten Chaves

Eridson Garcia takes a 23-2 record, including 14 knockouts, into a WBO Latino Lightweight title fight against unbeaten Argentine Alan Chaves, who has won 22 bouts with 19 knockouts. The 10-round contest is scheduled for the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Garcia, from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, sees the bout as a major opportunity to advance his career. Chaves is from San Miguel in Buenos Aires and has built his record without a defeat, while his knockout total has made his power a central part of the challenge facing Garcia.

The Dominican has prepared at home, working through a demanding camp with his team. His training has covered conditioning, timing, defence and combinations, with Garcia placing particular importance on making progress in each session rather than easing into the title opportunity.

Garcia’s preparation in the Dominican Republic has also kept him close to the supporters and young boxers who have followed his journey. He wants to represent them in Newark, but says that connection has strengthened his determination rather than making him satisfied with reaching this stage.

The two losses on Garcia’s professional record have also shaped his approach. He believes those setbacks taught him how to remain composed when a fight does not develop as planned and how to adjust under pressure. Those lessons could be important against an undefeated opponent with 19 stoppages in 22 victories.

Garcia expects a difficult contest and does not want the title handed to him. A victory would give him the WBO Latino Lightweight belt and place him in a stronger position for bigger opportunities, but his immediate priority is beating Chaves and taking the championship back to the Dominican Republic. The event is promoted by Matchroom Boxing and will be shown on DAZN in the United Kingdom and TNT in the United States.