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Davis a champ
Garcias’ boxer wins unanimous decision for title belt

By MKE HORNICK
The Salinas Californian

SAN JOSE — Ryan Davis of Salinas-based Garcia Boxing had his hands full Thursday with a brawling opponent, but emerged with a victory and a championship belt in a 10-round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Garcia at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.

Davis is the new WBE Intercontinental junior middleweight champion.

He improved to 19-3-2. Garcia dropped to 7-6.

Their fight was the main event of the “K.O. in San Jo” show.

“He’s a brawler,” Davis said of Garcia. “He was falling all over me. I had him down four or five times, but the ref didn't call a knockdown.”

Trainer Max Garcia said the game plan was for Davis to back his opponent up with the jab, keep him at bay and score points.

The strategy worked.

“It was pretty one-sided for Ryan,” Garcia said.

“He executed well. It was a real tough customer we had in front of us. The guy was wrestling and fell forward a few times, but Ryan did drop him a couple of times.”

Davis won his title in front of friends and family from Salinas, and from Missouri where he’s from.

Jack Mosley also attended.

Davis said he plans to return to the gym soon.

In undercard action, former Garcia Boxing featherweight prospect Jose Perez, Jr. (6-0) won by knockout in the first round over Ginto Maezono (0-1), who was making his pro debut.

It was Perez's fourth knockout.

Originally published April 1, 2005