Assassin aim to send Luis Garcia from Supermac’s to the Super Series

Assassin Promotions want to take Luis Garcia from Irish fast food outlet Supermacs to the World Boxing Super Series.

The promotional and management outfit yesterday confirmed the signing of the unbeaten and naturally talented Cuban and have high hopes for a fighter who promised so much when he arrived in Cork a decade ago but hasn’t had the career most expected he would.

‘El León’, who came to prominence in Ireland under Gary Hyde and, alongside Mike Perez and Alexei Collado over a decade ago, made an impressive start to pro life.

However, after a run of good form earlier this decade his career stalled. A move to New York followed and, after a four year sabbatical, the former World Junior amateur champion returned to the ring in 2015. The comeback was short lived and added just a further two wins to his record.

Indeed, the 30-year-old, who was once tipped for greatness not just titles, now finds himself working two jobs, one of which is in Supermacs in Limerick City, in order to provide for his family.

It’s a sad tale all too familiar in sport nevermind boxing but one made sadder considering the promise Garcia had shown and the undoubted talent at his disposal.

However, Assassin believe ‘El León’ is ready to roar back and Kaz Evans and Conor Slater want to help the Cuban to become the latest ‘Cinderella Man’ and will try play Fairy Godmother to ensure he makes the World Boxing Super Series ball. 

Garcia, who will remain working in Supermacs for the immediate future, returns on December 7th in Mayo and Assassin hope to fight him back down to light heavyweight, over 50lbs of weight loss, enabling him to be eligible for a mooted light heavyweight World Boxing Super Series installment next year.

“The plan is to keep him busy. Five fights in the next six or seven months,” Slater told Irish-boxing.com.

“He’s got a great team around him now, he’s in a good place and hopefully we’ll see the return of one of the world’s most talented boxers this December.”

“In an ideal world, we want him to get down to light heavyweight. If that’s the case, I think he’s a shoe-in for the World Boxing Super Series if they go at light heavy as expected.”

“That’s what tournament is designed for, to get rid of politics and let the best fight the best.”

It hasn’t worked for Garcia to date, but his fellow Irish based Cuban Mike Perez – himself a WBSS participant – has shown things can be turned around after he bounced back from some difficult times o  become a contender at crusierweight.

Assassin have similar high hopes for their new Cuban signing and believe, after past rumours of a lack of commitment, that Garcia now finally has the mindset as well as the talent to succeed.

‘We are delighted to be working with a world class talent,” Slater continued.

“He’s had his ups and downs and a frustrating period. But he’s back now and it’s time to give it one last roll of the dice. He’s far too good of a talent just to let out of the sport.”

“He’s a lovely guy, and realised the work that’s needed but also the opportunities that can arise for him. ”

The light heavyweight division’s current champions are Russian’s Artur Beterbiev [IBF] and Dmitry Bivol [WBA], Haitian Adonis Stevenson [WBC], and Colombian Eleider Álvarez [WBO]. Stevenson, Alvarez, and Beterbiev are all based in Canada.

There are plenty of other big names in the division as well including Sergey Kovalev, Badou Jack, Marcus Browne, Sullivan Barrera, Jean Pascal, and Oleksandr Gvodzyk, as well as Irish-Americans Seanie Monaghan and Joe Smith Jr.

Garcia is currently miles off world level but is highly-rated in boxing circles and a succession of wins, perhaps an away corner opportunity, could see him fast-tracked up the ladder.