Ryan Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) of Victorville, CA and Ghana’s Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe (32-1, 15 KOs) hosted their kick-off press conference today in Los Angeles at Golden Boy Headquarters.
The fighters were on site alongside Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman, and CEO of Golden Boy, and DAZN’s Executive Vice President, Joe Markowski, to discuss their upcoming 12-round, a lightweight battle on April 9.
The fight is set to occur at San Antonio’s Alamodome, live, worldwide on DAZN.
Tickets for Garcia vs. Tagoe go on sale today and are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75, and $40, not including applicable facility fees. Tickets will be available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com or in-person at the Alamodome Box Office, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. CT.
Below are what the attendees had to say today:
Ryan Garcia
“I’m very excited; it’s been a long time. Tagoe is a legitimate contender; I have nothing but respect for him. He has an ample opportunity here; he’s been looking for a tough fight, a fight that will make or break him; and I am looking forward to a dog fight if it happens to be one.
“I am not looking past him, whether people think he is a good contender or not, and I respect him, and I know this will be a good fight.
“I have been boxing my whole life. I know what it takes. I know the discipline you need, the sacrifices you have to make. What makes me feel confident in all my experience in the ring; is over 200 amateur fights, 21 professional, and being in some top training camps. I feel very comfortable and confident. I know whoever is in front of me, it will not be easy, that’s for sure. If it’s a quick or a long flight, I am ready for whatever.”
Emmanuel Tagoe
“I want to thank my promoter Lou DiBella and manager Peter Khan for giving me this opportunity to showcase myself to everyone. I know people don’t know me, but after this fight, people will ask, who is this guy!?
“I know Ryan Garcia, I respect him a lot as a good boxer, but he is not my style.”
Oscar De La Hoya
“For Tagoe, to lose his professional debut and have an undefeated record after that for many years shows that he has tasted defeat, but he doesn’t want to taste it again, which makes him very, very dangerous.
“Ryan has been off for 15 months, and we are glad that he is back. He is healthy and ready to go, but he knows that this is not a walk in the park.
“Ghana has some amazing boxing history with Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey. I know it’s going to be an excellent fight. I know both guys will be ready; both guys will get into the ring with nothing to lose and with everything to lose. If there is someone who knows fighters like Tagoe, it’s me. I can see it in his eyes.”
Joe Markowski
“Ryan is a longtime DAZN fighter who moves the needle in a way that many soldiers don’t. We applaud your bravery for speaking about your struggles, and we are delighted you are healthy and ready to fight on DAZN.
“Ryan starts some amazing content on DAZN; this fight is not going to be a walk in the park. My friend Lou DiBella has been talking to me about Emmanuel Tagoe for some time. Those of you who know Lou when he talks have to listen. But he has been talking about this matchup for a while, and we are excited to be hosting it.”
Lou DiBella
“Hi everyone, Ryan Garcia is one of boxing’s most talented young stars, and it’s good for the sport to have him back. I want to commend Ryan on his honesty and mental health advocacy.
I think his honesty will help many people battle the stigma associated with mental health care. I want to thank Ryan and Golden Boy Promotions for giving Emmanuel Tagoe, yet another talented, hungry fighter from Ghana, an opportunity to show his talents on the world stage.
With Ryan’s immense popularity, he and his promoter could have come back against anyone. In Tagoe, they chose a legitimate and dangerous contender, who has won his last 32 fights.
Emmanuel isn’t an easy touch; he’s a real threat. I applaud Ryan and Golden Boy Promotions for seeking this kind of challenge, and I look forward to a great fight on April 9.”
