Eridson Garcia ‘upset the odds’ as he inflicted a first defeat for Japan’s ‘rising star’ Taiga Imanaga with a split decision victory on his Riyadh Season debut.

Called up at the start of December as a late replacement for the 10-round lightweight contest on the undercard of the Ring V: Night of the Samurai event, 31-year-old Garcia secured the win with a late flourish over the closing stages of the fight – including sending Imanaga to the canvas in the eighth round.

The outcome hung in the balance with the judges split as they scored the fight 96-93 (Garcia); 94-95 (Imanaga) and 95-94 (Garcia).

However, the knockdown, along with some clean hits in the latter rounds, were decisive as the Dominican Republic fighter chalked up his 23rd career victory.

“I was completely confident that I had won,” said Garcia, who stressed in the pre-fight build-up he would use his experience to beat his rival.

The first half of the fight was steady but unspectacular. The contest increased in intensity from the seventh round, with Garcia finding his range and connecting some quality shots to both the body and head of the previously unbeaten 26-year-old.

It turned Garcia’s way in the eighth with a right hook that caught Imanaga flush and down to the canvas. Following the mandatory count, Garcia, who let out an audible ‘roar’, was on the front foot and had his rival rocking with a barrage of shots but he was unable to land a decisive blow.

Garcia remained in control over the final two rounds, landing two hard left hooks to take him to victory.

Post fight, Garcia admitted that the limited preparation had played a decisive role in how the fight played out.

“I wasn't prepared for a fight like this one,” he said. “I didn't feel like I had sufficient preparation to go into such a massive fight like this. 

“So what I did was during the fight, when I saw that my opponent was hurt, I took full advantage of that.”

Having upset the odds, Garcia again stated his readiness to take on any challenge at both super featherweight (130lbs) or lightweight (135lbs).

He said: “If I get a big opportunity at 130 pounds, happy to take that. But, if I get a great opportunity here at 135 at lightweight, I'll also go for that. We're ready for anyone, and when I say anyone, I mean anyone at 130, 135.”

Before celebrating with his BiYu Promotions team he added: “I want to say thank you to Matchroom and thank you to Turki Alalshikh for giving me this opportunity.

“I want to also shout out to my manager Bobby Harrison. This opportunity means such a great deal to me.

“I just want to say thank you to all the people in the Dominican Republic who are always watching my fights. Finally, to my wife, who's here alongside me, thank you for all of your support.”

Image: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing