By Norm Frauenheim –
LAS VEGAS – Rounds in the gym are done.
Thursday, it was time for rounds – and more rounds — with the media for Elijah Garcia, who has moved swiftly through the prospect stage and graduated into a contender.
That graduation was confirmed by his promoter Tom Brown during an undercard news conference for Saturday’s Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo fight at T-Mobile Arena.
Showtime’s pay-per-view telecast begins with Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) against Armando Resendiz (14-1, 10 KOs) n a fight expected to do more than just warm up the audience with an opening act.
Brown expects it to create possibilities. Garcia-versus-Resendiz is a step toward a New Year.
“The winner of this fight will fight for a middleweight world title in 2024,’’ Brown said in introductory remarks in a crowded ballroom at the MGM Grand.
That, perhaps, wasn’t news to Garcia, one of two Arizona fighters on a pay-per-view card including Casa Grande junior-middleweight Jesus Ramos against Erickson Lubin in the co-main event.
Brown’s promotional plan aligns with Garcia’s goal to be a 21-year-old world champion.
It’s ambitious. Garcia is 20. He’ll be 21 next year, still an apprentice in a lot of other crafts. But that apprenticeship looks to be another completed round in Garcia’s emerging resume. Garcia’s career is taking off in terms of name-recognition and possibilities.
But all contenders are enrolled in the next step, a kind of finishing school for champions. The burden of proof is always there. What have you done for me lately?
Now, it’s up to Garcia to deliver that proof, that answer, against a 24-year-old fighter known for his toughness.
“I know Armando comes in shape, and he’s really strong,’’ said Garcia, who grew up in Phoenix and has a ranch in Wittman. “He throws a lot of punches, so I have to control the pace.
“You saw in his last fight what happens when he controls the pace. So, I’m definitely not going to let that happen.’’
Garcia is cool and confident. Both are there in his demeanor, whether at work within the ropes or on a stage with reporters. Both also are signs of an emerging craftsman ready for his next job. He’s prepared for the punches. And prepared for the questions.
He’s learning. Always learning, a task that ends only for former champions. From prospect to aspiring champion, one thing never changes. The student always has to be there.
“I try to choose the best opponent every time,’’ the student in Garcia said. “Armando was on the top of the list, because he’s gonna give me the experience I need. He’s gonna prepare me for the world title. I want to get better, each and every fight.’’
There’s only way to do that. The perennial student isn’t afraid of a lesson plan that includes some honest self-criticism.
“I don’t think my last performance was my best,’’ he said. “I started a little slow. But I’m gonna prove that I’ve got more experience than I showed.
“I’m a new class fighter and I’m gonna show I’m on a different level.’’’
