Garcia Feels Right at Home While Scoring Knockout

They don’t call boxer Robert Garcia “The Pride of Oxnard” for nothing.

Garcia entered the outdoor arena Sunday at the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Center escorted by mariachis. He exited while signing autographs among a mob of back-slapping well-wishers while the musical ensemble serenaded Eduardo Garcia, his father and trainer, with a chorus of “Happy Birthday.”

In between, Garcia made short work of journeyman Jose Herrera, recording a fourth-round technical knockout in a junior lightweight bout. Garcia is 26-0 with 20 knockouts.

Garcia, 21, North American Boxing Federation champion and ranked second by the International Boxing Federation, moved a step closer to a probable title fight next spring by peppering an elusive Herrera with quick combinations and effective left uppercuts.

Herrera, who lost a decision to Garcia three years ago, was bleeding badly from a cut above his right eye and was unable to answer the bell for the fifth round.

“The uppercut, that’s what I got him with,” Garcia said. “I go in there and try to study my opponents. But if I hurt them, why not finish it?”

A partisan crowd enjoyed Garcia’s victory that capped a six-bout card. Heavyweight Adam Flores of Oxnard, making his professional debut, knocked out Mark Quinn of Folsom, Calif., in two minutes.

Lightweight Eddie Contreras (7-1-3) of Santa Paula appeared to be ahead in the third round against Marco Antonio Ramos of Los Angeles, but the fight was declared a technical draw because of an accidental head butt that caused bleeding on Ramos’ forehead.