Ryan Garcia-Francisco Fonseca official for February 14th in Anaheim

We’ve known for a few days, but it’s now officially official. Ryan Garcia will headline a Valentine’s Day DAZN card in Anahem against former title challenger Francisco Fonseca, setting up a future battle with co-feature Jorge Linares.

Garcia (19-0, 16 KO) had his fair share of controversy in 2019, including some public feuds with Oscar de la Hoya and a refusal to fight Romero Duno on super-short notice when Avery Sparrow got arrested before weigh-ins, but he came up big when it counted. March saw him thrash Jose Lopez in two rounds, while Duno lasted a mere 98 seconds when they met in November.

“I’m very excited to be in the ring once again,” said Ryan Garcia. “And I’m looking to shock the world this year. I’m going to show the boxing world that I’m here forever!”

Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KO) is best knock for his two unsuccessful title bids. In 2017, he gave an overweight Gervonta Davis some issues before going down to what he claimed was a rabbit punch, then lost a wide decision to Tevin Farmer last year. He recently fought Alex Dilmaghani to an entertaining draw.

“Nicaraguan boxing is a the very top right now because we have two world champions representing us right now,” said Francisco Fonseca. “That’s why I will not let my country down. When I face Ryan Garcia, I will expose him on his own territory, and I will deliver him his first professional victory. My manager Rosendo Alvarez and I have been waiting for. We’ve dreamed of fighting Ryan Garcia, and we have the antidote to defeat him.”

Linares (46-5, 28 KO) does not yet have an opponent listed, though Steve Kim reports that he’ll face former Gacia victim Carlos Morales (19-4-4, 8 KO). “The Solution” was last seen fighting Mercito Gesta to a technical draw in November.

I’d like to give special attention to Oscar De La Hoya’s requisite soundbite, in which he surreptitiously walks back his claim that Vergil Ortiz Jr. was the sport’s top prospect (which caused one of the many spats between him and Garcia) and comes off creepy as hell.

“Golden Boy is proud to present the biggest rising talent in the sport of boxing,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Ryan Garcia silenced all the skeptics by knocking out a tough contender in Romero Duno, and he did it in just one spectacular round.

“Aside from being a popular young star who is loved by all women, he’s also demonstrated that he’s a skillful fighter with power in both hands,” said De La Hoya on Ryan Garcia. “So, we will have something special for everyone to enjoy on Valentine’s Day when we deliver this great show at Honda Center and live on DAZN.”

Local lesbians could not be reached for comment.

Other names of note on the card include unbeaten prospects Alexis Rocha and Blair Cobbs, plus Oscar Negrete.