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Elijah Garcia Training Camp Quotes
Undefeated 19-year-old rising middleweight sensation Elijah
Garcia will look to move one step closer to achieving his
“big dreams” of boxing stardom and becoming one of the
future faces of Mexican boxing when he takes on Kevin
Salgado in the pay-per-view telecast opener of the highly
anticipated Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia SHOWTIME PPV®
production on Saturday, April 22 from T-Mobile Arena in Las
Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
“It’s simple, a victory gets me bigger fights against top
level competition,” said Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs). “I know if I
keep winning, all the big fights will happen. I have big
dreams to become the next big Mexican star in boxing, but
I’m going to take it one fight at a time.”
Fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz., Garcia earned a career-best
victory in March, blasting out the previously unbeaten
Amilcar Vidal in the fourth-round on SHOWTIME® to announce
his presence in the 160-pound division. Now he’ll step up to
compete on boxing’s biggest stage, kicking off the
pay-per-view telecast leading up to a long-awaited main
event.
“Words can’t describe how excited I am,” said Garcia. “I’m
only 19 years old, so for me to be fighting on the big stage
like this is a testament to my team, and all the hard work
we’ve put in. I want to personally thank everyone who made
this fight happen. I’m so grateful to everyone involved in
my career and my plan is to make everyone proud with a
monumental performance on April 22.”
Prior to bursting on the scene in March, Garcia had a busy
2022, racking up four victories, including three knockouts,
punctuated by a second-round TKO over Cruse Stewart that
streamed live on SHOWTIME SPORTS® digital platforms. As he
prepares for April 22, led by his trainers, father George
and grandpa George, Sr., Garcia believes that he’ll step
into the ring an improved fighter from his last appearance.
“Everyone will see a better version of me when I step in the
ring next week,” said Garcia. “Every day in training camp is
another day closer to making my dream of becoming a world
champion a reality. I have a long way to go, but I take my
training very seriously, because I know how hard it is to
get to the top. It’s a family affair with my dad and my
grandpa guiding my corner and we’ve been going hard at our
gym in Arizona where all the magic is happening.”
Across from him on April 22 will be the veteran Mexico
City-native Salgado (15-1-1, 10 KOs), who is the younger
brother of former super featherweight world champion Juan
Carlos Salgado. Now training in San Antonio, Texas, Salgado
most recently earned a knockout in December and according to
Garcia will provide his most difficult challenge.
“This will be the toughest fight of my career,” said Garcia.
“Salgado has gone ten rounds before and has never been
knocked out, so I know he’s got a great chin. My plan is to
have my hand raised by any means possible. If the knockout
comes, I’ll be happy, but I’m prepared to go the distance if
need be.”
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