Garnica Overcomes Knockdown To Smash Palicte In Three
Oakland’s Anthony Garnica (13-0, 8 KOs) showed serious grit on Saturday night at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California, stopping seasoned veteran Aston Palicte (27-8-1, 23 KOs) in three rounds to claim the NBA Inter-Continental bantamweight title.
From the opening bell, Garnica set the tone with a barrage of heavy shots, forcing Palicte into deep waters early. In round two, Garnica ripped a vicious body shot that folded Palicte to the canvas. The former world title challenger dug deep to survive the round.
In the third, chaos erupted. Palicte caught Garnica clean with a sharp right cross, scoring a knockdown that briefly swung the momentum. But Garnica didn’t blink. He got up, reset, and unleashed a brutal flurry that forced the referee to wave it off just 40 seconds into the round.
“I wasn’t going to let that stop me,” Garnica said. “I bit down, stayed composed, and took him out.”
It wasn’t just another win for Garnica — it was a gut check he passed with flying colors, proving he’s more than just a fast starter.
Mercado Outworks Eniz In Brutal Co-Main
In the co-main event, Israel Mercado (12-1-2, 7 KOs) battled past tough Argentine Jonathan Jose Eniz (35-22-1, 16 KOs) in an all-action eight-rounder.
From the start, the fight turned into a phone booth war. Eniz, as expected, brought relentless pressure. Mercado answered with slick counters and smart pivots, using Eniz’s aggression against him.
Both fighters emptied the tank in the final seconds, trading at center ring with the crowd roaring. After eight brutal rounds, Mercado’s cleaner work and sharper shots earned him the unanimous decision.
Mercado’s ability to keep his composure in the heat of battle is what separated him on the scorecards.
Showtime Promotions Execs Praise Rising Talent
Showtime Promotions bosses Reyes Mejia and Lenin Garcia had nothing but praise after the dust settled.
“Anthony Garnica showed he’s got the talent to make a serious run at a bantamweight title,” said Mejia.
“Our mission is to build the next generation of champions,” Garcia added. “Garnica is definitely on that path—and we’re just getting started.”
With the “New Era Fight Night” gaining momentum, Showtime Promotions is carving out a clear lane for developing future contenders.
Undercard Results: Early Finishes and Sharp Performances
Raul Salomon (15-3, 13 KOs) wasted no time, blasting out Crispulo Javier Andino (26-16-1, 12 KOs) inside one round.
Avetis Gadya (1-0, 1 KO) made a statement in his pro debut, dropping David Minter (4-8, 3 KOs) in the second round for a knockout win.
Chantel Navarro (5-0, 3 KOs) boxed smart, controlled the tempo, and cruised to a unanimous decision win over Wendy Villegas (2-6, 2 KOs).
Brianda Cruz (2-0) kept her momentum rolling with a sharp unanimous decision victory over Julia Igel (3-1, 2 KOs).
Fight Card Results
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Anthony Garnica def. Aston Palicte – TKO3 (NBA Inter-Continental bantamweight title)
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Israel Mercado def. Jonathan Jose Eniz – Unanimous Decision (8 rounds, super lightweight)
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Raul Salomon def. Crispulo Javier Andino – KO1 (super middleweight)
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Avetis Gadya def. David Minter – KO2 (super lightweight)
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Chantel Navarro def. Wendy Villegas – Unanimous Decision (4 rounds, bantamweight)
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Brianda Cruz def. Julia Igel – Unanimous Decision (4 rounds, bantamweight)
@Ekennedy, you’re so right but don’t forget it was luck too! Garnica might just be riding on this win without real skill behind it. Let’s see how he handles tougher opponents in the future!
@Gray William, maybe but every champ had to start somewhere? So let’s not knock his success too much before seeing what happens next.
This article highlights some key aspects of boxing strategy, especially regarding Mercado’s counterattacks against Eniz’s aggression. It’s a classic example of how technique can triumph over brute force in the sport.
Exactly! It’s fascinating how both fighters adapted their styles during the match. Such nuances are often overlooked by casual fans but are crucial for understanding boxing dynamics.
I don’t think Garnica’s win was all that great. Palicte is past his prime and not as tough as people think. It’s just another average fight with an overhyped outcome. We need better competition for real tests.
Wow! Garnica’s performance was just amazing! I mean, he really showed heart and skill. The way he got up after that knockdown and finished the fight was impressive! Can’t wait to see more from him! 🥊✨
Totally agree! Garnica is a beast. He’s going places, no doubt about that! It’s nice to see someone who really fights hard for their title, unlike others who just rely on luck.