Via Jack Tiernan: Returning from a long layoff, lightweights Ryan Garcia and Emmanuel Tagoe nearly delivered the blow on Wednesday when the two boxers emerged after exchanging words during a head-to-head confrontation.
The two lightweight fighters will fight Saturday night, April 9 on DAZN at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
According to Ryan’s coach Joe Goosen, Tagoe (32-1, 15 KOs) was stuck in their time in the ring. It should have been Ryan’s turn to practice in front of the media and boxing fans.
Tagoe said something that angered Ryan so much that he had to be pulled out by security because he was ready to hit the spot right there.
Ryan Garcia: “Today, I have a small affair with Tagoe. I think today was a little tester because he talked a lot online during the fight, calling me ‘Queen Ryan,’ Ryan Garcia told Fighthype in explaining what led up to today’s confrontation with Emmanuel Tagoe during practice with the media in San Antonio.
“If you’re looking at his Tweets, he always says he has Ghana pepper, which is a bit odd. So I decided to give him a little taste of my own potion and size him up and see how he goes,” Garcia said of Tagoe.
Joe Goosen: “He started foaming at the mouth right away,” Joe Goosen said while chatting with Ryan about Tagoe’s reaction to today’s exchange during the media event. “You’ve got him worried, I’ll tell you that.”
Ryan: “He did. He certainly did. It’s definitely not something that is premeditated and I want to do. It’s the kind of thing that happens in the moment. He’s looking at me a certain way and will set you on fire if you feel it. “
Goosen: “The bottom line is that it is our designated time for journalism practice. He’s always got his own, so he’s purposely coming to provoke you into your time. I actually looked away for a minute and there was Tagoe. It’s definitely a bit rude. Do you ever find yourself doing that to someone? “
Ryan: “No, not if they haven’t come to me yet, but I’ll definitely be there to get it done.”
Goosen: “You’ll get it done this Saturday night, I’ll assure you of that.”
Ryan: “We were ready and excited to be in the ring, and the camp went well.”
Goosen: “It was one of the best camps I have ever stayed in. It was a seven-week camp that felt like three weeks because the work was so intense and so much. You really don’t have time to think about it.”
Ryan: “That’s crazy. Coronado Island [where Ryan’s training camp took place]. ”
Goosen: “If you are going to do a small prison sentence for training camp that is the place to do it. It’s the Clud Fed, as they say. It’s really good.”
Ryan: “I also want to clarify something about the weight [139 lbs]. This was predefined and set up before it launched. This was contracted at 139 as soon as we signed it. It has nothing to do with it, I have to do weight training and they have to change it quickly like people say.”
Goosen: “Actually, let me just say it to everyone because I didn’t even know it was a thing. We did the weights today and we’re actually lower at 138 1/2. The contract is at 139. Yesterday we were at 139 on the dot, and we could be at 139 at any point.
“The truth of the matter is, you haven’t fought in a year and a half. 139, which is why they call it a formidable weight. You don’t have to fight in the championship 135 lb weight class. It’s an attractive weight.
“You are getting older, you are getting older and you are maturing. Oscar De La Hoya started at 130-lbs and went up to 160. Look, the boys are growing. You are 23 years old now and you will soon be 24. You are not 19, 20 or 21.
“Any man who’s been through phases, you won’t stay at the same weight your whole life.”
Ryan: “If you’re going to be in town and can’t make it to San Antonio, make sure you go get it ticket. They are on sale right now. It will be available at the Alamodome on ticket sellers. It will be great.
“If you can go get your ticket. If not, check it out on DAZN, and it’s going to be a great night. ”
Goosen: “I predict this will be one of your greatest performances. He’s going to explode because we’ve been up against 10 or 12 partners involved, and none of them come out of it unscathed, I can tell you that.
“It all comes at a cost. I’m like never before, and I’ve been in training camps for half a century. ”
Ryan: “How your fight goes is how the fight will go. It determines at least what kind of person you will become. How explosive will you be and how will your body react during the fight, during the rounds, and otherwise.
“That’s why I’m so confident now because I know what my body is capable of and what I can do in 12 sets, and that’s even better. One guy in a 12 round setup.
“I got used to fighting three different people, and they kept going. I had to adjust to a new guy, a new guy, a new guy. “
Goosen: “They’re new and you’re wearing them out a bit.”
Ryan: “The class lasted 15 rounds, it was a good day.”
Goosen: “Try that one day. First of all, they don’t even have 15 innings anymore, number one. Second, you did 15 sets with three different people, each doing five sets.
“You have a new guy every time he comes to you. So after ten rounds, you have a new guy in there to do the last five rounds.
“They don’t even fight 15 rounds anymore, but you have played 15 rounds with three different people. They are all quality cooperation partners. That is a wonderful thing.
“I haven’t seen that done since Diego Corrales as he prepared for the [Jose] Castillo. He was the last person I saw to do that, and it wasn’t easy at all.”
Ryan: “No. of course. So all in good spirits, guys. ”
