Fan friendly welterweight Roberto Garcia hasn't lost a bout in four years.
On Friday night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Ill., Garcia rolled to his eighth straight victory by outlasting former Amir Khan conqueror Breidis Prescott in the co-main event on ESPN'S Friday Night Fights.
Prescott floored Garcia in round nine, but it wasn’t enough as Garcia prevailed by scores of 96-93, 95-94 and 96-92.
Prescott (27-6, 20 KOs) started fast against the slower Garcia. He jabbed to the body and head as Garcia looked on. He also landed a snappy combination.
Garcia (36-3, 23 KOs) got on track in round two. He connected with multiple left hooks. Prescott continued to outwork him. He circled to his left and right and made a point of staying off the ropes.
In rounds three and four, Garcia applied more pressure. He ignored Prescott’s blows and went to the body. When Prescott was able to maintain distance, he did better, but Garcia's momentum was building.
Prescott used his legs in the next few rounds. Garcia found him with a looping right, but also ate a counter. Both fighters were warned for pushing and low blows.
Garcia, 34, landed a heavy right hand that knocked Prescott back a step in round seven. He pressed forward and connected with two more right hooks, but Prescott fought back.
In rounds eight and nine, Garcia beckoned Prescott to fight. Prescott, a native of Columbia based in Miami, acquiesced with combinations, but couldn’t hurt Garcia. His best moment came in round nine when he connected with a straight right hand that sent Garcia, who resides in Weslaco, TX. to the canvas. Garcia got up quickly with a bemused look on his face. He claimed that Prescott had tripped him. Replays after the round showed otherwise.
The match was close heading into the tenth and final round. Garcia jumped on Prescott. He fired punches from all angles. Some landed. Prescott held on and barely punched back. He acted like a fighter protecting a lead. Big mistake.
Prescott has now lost two of his last three fights and four of his last eight.
Garcia could be line for a title shot.
Caleb Truax (24-1-2, 14 KOs) pounded on game Derek Ennis (24-5-1, 13 KOs) over 10 rounds to win by unanimous decision.
Truax landed the heavier punches throughout the fight, but was unable to stop Ennis. The shorter Ennis wasn't active enough--though he did find Truex with an occasional hook.
The scores were 97-93 (twice) and 99-90.
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