After Injury Layoff, Garcia Takes On Aldama

Junior lightweight Robert Garcia of Oxnard, idle since December because of injuries, will enter the ring tonight against Angel Aldama in a 10-round bout on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Garcia (27-0 with 21 knockouts) is ranked No. 1 by the International Boxing Federation and third by the World Boxing Council. Garcia is on course to face IBF champion Arturo Gatti in the fall. Aldama is 28-11 with 18 knockouts.

Garcia, 22, North American Boxing Federation champion, suffered a sprained ankle that forced the cancellation of a fight in March. He also experienced chest pains caused by a pinched nerve. Garcia knocked out Ramon Sanchez in the second round in Indio in his last fight.

“I’m ready to go and anxious to get into the ring,” Garcia said. “I’ve been fighting for five years to get close to a title. It’s what every fighter dreams of.”