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Cuban star Luis Garcia to return to boxing this weekend

One of the most talented boxers to ever call these shores home is to return to the ring after four years away. Cuban light heavyweight Luis Garcia, who for years lived in Cork, fights this weekend on the Premier Boxing Champions card in Brooklyn headlined by Peter Quillin v Daniel Jacobs

Garcia, now based in Peekskill, New York, fights in a six rounder against a to-be-confirmed opponent on the ‘Battle of Brooklyn’ card at the Barclay’s Centre.

29 this month, Garcia notes how his move to America has been seamless thanks to his experiences in Ireland, describing how “It was a bigger change when I moved to Ireland than it was six weeks ago when I moved here. It was a lot harder in Ireland because I didn’t speak a word of English. I learned English from the street, watching TV and reading.”

Many will question the mercurially talented boxer’s absence from the ring, but Garcia claims that “It wasn’t my decision not to fight the past four years.”

“Something happened with my now former manager and promoter.”

Indeed, the Caribbean boxer has stay sharp throughout his absence, revealing that “I trained all the time, sparred a lot, and did as much as I could do in the gym.

Garcia is now signed with Kevin Dever Sports Management and recounts that “I’ve known Kevin for 2-3 years. He asked me why I wasn’t fighting and I told him everything. He said to call him when my contract expired because he wanted to manage me and that’s what I did.”

The Cuban, who was denied a spot at the 2008 Olympics by boxing politics, has big plans upon his return, explaining that “I’m fighting December 5th and taking things step by step. I’m not going to rush.”

“There are a lot of great fighters in the light heavyweight division and I hope to be in the mix next year.”

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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