Eridson Garcia shocked the Riyadh crowd by handing previously unbeaten Taiga Imanaga his first professional loss via split decision in a gritty 10-round lightweight battle. The Dominican Republic fighter, entering as a short-notice replacement, improved to 23-1 (14 KOs) with scorecards of 96-93, 95-94 Imanaga, and 95-94 in his favor, turning a supposed showcase into one of the night’s biggest surprises.
The bout unfolded on the high-profile Inoue-Picasso undercard at Mohammed Abdo Arena, where Japanese prospect Imanaga was favored to extend his perfect 9-0 record. Garcia, based out of Houston, Texas, instead disrupted those plans with relentless forward pressure and opportunistic power, making the fight far messier than anticipated.
From the opening exchanges, Garcia closed distance aggressively, smothering Imanaga’s jab and forcing uncomfortable inside work. The left-handed Japanese fighter struggled to maintain rhythm, often backing straight rather than pivoting, which allowed Garcia to accumulate damage through body shots and short hooks.
Tactical chess match turns physical
Early rounds saw both fighters probing with jabs and long left hands, creating a technical standoff where Imanaga appeared to edge ahead through cleaner boxing. Garcia shifted momentum in the fourth with a solid left that opened sustained exchanges, bumping Imanaga with forearms and refusing to grant space.
By the fifth and seventh, Imanaga regained front-foot momentum with left hooks and uppercuts, but Garcia’s stoic pressure kept rounds competitive. A hurtful left hand late in the seventh tested Garcia’s resolve, yet he answered with heavy shots before the bell, signaling the fight’s physical toll.
The pivotal eighth round transformed the contest when Garcia crashed home a right hand, dropping Imanaga heavily to the canvas. The Japanese fighter rose but faced a barrage of uppercuts and heavy blows, his right eye swelling shut as blood splashed the ring.
Imanaga became a stationary target, absorbing punishment that could have prompted a stoppage. A ringside delay before the ninth allowed recovery, but Garcia boxed with swagger through the final frames, outlanding Imanaga while the latter relied on resilience to survive.
Split decision reflects razor-thin margins
The result hinged on Imanaga’s early control versus Garcia’s dominant late surge and knockdown. While one judge favored Imanaga 95-94, the majority recognized Garcia’s second-half takeover, validating his strategy of imposing will through accumulation rather than flash.
Post-fight, Garcia credited capitalizing on the hurt opponent: «What I did during the fight when I saw my opponent was hurt, I took full advantage.» The win positions him to continue at lightweight or junior lightweight, boosting his profile after five straight victories.
For Imanaga, now 9-1 (5 KOs), the loss serves as a reality check following his 10-round decision over Yuadi Murakami. His technical base faltered under sustained pressure, highlighting needs to improve defensive resets and backward fighting against aggressive styles.
The eighth-round survival showcased toughness, but the defeat halts momentum and prompts questions about readiness for elite contention. Observers note his reliance on rhythm and space crumbled, a blueprint future opponents may exploit.
