Elvis "Semental" Garcia, a fighter with Pacific Northwest roots, continued his rise as a top heavyweight boxing prospect by winning the WBC Continental Americas Bridgerweight title on Saturday, August 20th. Garcia stopped Joel Shojgreen via TKO after three rounds. Garcia's heavy hands have now delivered 9 stoppages among his perfect 12-0 record.

Garcia is a charismatic fighter with an interesting backstory. Born in Puerta de Mangos, Mexico, at 4 years old Garcia moved with his family to Umatilla, Oregon.  Despite the tough road he endured growing up poor, Garcia proved to be an outstanding multi-sport athlete. Garcia, interestingly, has a grappling background having won medals in high school wrestling and also in jiu-jitsu.

Seeing his tremendous potential, Garcia's jiu-jitsu coaches encouraged him to train in boxing. Except there just one small problem. The closest boxing gym to his hometown of Umatilla was 260 miles away in Tacoma, Washington. So Garcia began making the 6 hour drive to Tacoma a few days a week in order to hone his boxing skills. Garcia was so dedicated to getting better that he endured sleeping overnight in his car while in Tacoma in order to continue training so that he didn't have to make a twelve hour round trip drive multiple days a week. Garcia's dedication paid off with an amateur boxing record of 85-10, with 42 knockouts.

Garcia made his pro debut in 2017. He started his career with four consecutive stoppage victories. Garcia's success in the ring earned him a well-deserved reputation for having an abundance of the legendary Mexican fighting spirit. So when Anthony Joshua was seeking a sparring partner to mimic Andy Ruiz Jr. prior to their second fight, it was Garcia who Matchroom Sports Chairman Eddie Hearn reached out to. Garcia was thus exposed to the highest level training and must have made quite the impression as the unified heavyweight champion Joshua called Garcia his "secret weapon" as he prepared for the fight.

WBC Continental Americas Bridgerweight Championship Bout

Round 1

Shojgreen got off to a good start in the opening minute of the first round as he pushed a fast pace. He connected with a solid straight right hand in the opening seconds of the fight. Shojgreen also had success landing numerous body punches from the clinch. Garcia, however, began to turn the tide as the round progressed, as he started to work off of his jab. Midway through the round, Garcia landed a hard overhand right after he had backed Shojgreen into the corner. In the closing seconds of the round, with Shojgreen advancing, Garcia landed a slick counter left hook that sent Shojgreen stumbling backward.

Round 2

Garcia began to take control of the fight in Round 2. Garcia stared the round aggressively as he immediately backed up Shojgreen. Garcia continued to press forward aggressively throughout the round, landing effectively to the body as he worked his way inside. Late in the round he landed a couple of hard combinations.

Round 3

Garcia aggressively pushed forward to start Round 3, at one point throwing four consecutive jabs to put Shojgreen into the corner. Thirty seconds into the round, Garcia landed a short left hook that snapped Shojgreen's head and sent him stumbling backward. After briefly attempting to clinch, Shojgreen went down to the canvas but Referee Jack Reese ruled it a slip. Moments later, Garcia landed a sharp jab and right hook. Garcia's jab was effective throughout the round in setting up his power shots.

After landing another stiff jab, a cracking left hook from Garcia hurt Shojgreen.  Garcia followed up with a powerful right hook that scored the first of three knockdowns. After the standing eight count, Garcia once more quickly got on the inside as he landed two more powerful hooks. Shojgreen was clearly compromised and on wobbly legs as he attempted to ride out the storm by engaging the clinch. Garcia, however, repeatedly shoved Shojgreen off to create just enough space to fire off and land his power. With just under thirty seconds left in the round, Garcia landed a right hook followed by an overhand right that sent Shojgreen to the canvas for the second time in the round. After the standing eight count, Garcia continued to land with power and scored his third knockdown right as the round ended. 

Referee Jack Reese called an end to the bout via TKO after Round 3 concluded. Garcia is a highly touted prospect, with PNW roots, to keep your eye on as he continues his incredible journey.

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