Garcia Returns After 14-Month Layoff to Knock Out Zepeda

Coming off a 14-month layoff, Rocky Garcia scored a second-round knockout over Cesar Zepeda in a junior lightweight fight Thursday night before 1,121 spectators at the Irvine Marriott Hotel.

Garcia (27-7-2) had lost a split decision to Stevie Cruz 14 months ago and decided to retire from boxing. Five of Garcia’s seven losses had been split decisions.

“I felt like I just didn’t want to fight anymore after the Cruz fight,” said Garcia, 27, in his dressing room. “A lot of people had said I won the fight. I went to work but I didn’t make enough money for anything more than to pay the rent, so I came back to boxing.”

In three months of training, he dropped from 149 pounds to 132, but only for a brief return to the ring Thursday night.

He landed a series of combinations in the first round to hurt Zepeda (19-9-1), from Mexico, and it was over soon after that.

In the second round, Garcia landed a crushing right that dropped Zepeda to the floor 50 seconds into the round. Garcia continued the assault until he landed another solid right and Zepeda went down for good. The referee counted Zepeda out while he struggled to get to his feet, 1:50 into the round.

“I was nervous about how I would look in the ring after not fighting for so long,” Garcia said after the fight. “But I didn’t get tired. It was only two rounds.

Garcia’s trainer, Jackie McCoy, said he would like to give Garcia one more test before he moves up in competition. “I saw the guy fight in the gym and he looked tough,” McCoy said of Zepeda. “I figured he’d put up a harder fight. Maybe after being hit a few times he lost his ambition.”

In other fights:

Jorge Ramires of Los Angeles (17-5-3) scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Ralph Gutierrez (9-3-4) of Los Angeles. All three judges scored it, 78-73.

Fuji Fujimoto (17-7) of Japan scored a third-round knockout against Mike Ruelas (8-3-1) of Pomona at 148 pounds. Ruelas appeared ahead but suffered a deep cut over his right eye, and--on advice from the ring doctor--the fight was stopped at the 2:50 mark.

Ruben Castangnon of Ontario won a majority, four-round decision in his professional debut over Lonnie Donaldson (0-3) of Los Angeles at 138 pounds. One judge ruled it a draw, 38-38, but the other two ruled 39-37 in favor of Castangnon.

Francisco Jimenez (2-2) of Alhambra scored a first-round knockdown on his way to an four-round unanimous decision over Armando Lomelli (0-1) of Westminster. All three judges ruled the 126-pound fight, 39-37.

At 126 pounds, Tony Olivas (4-1) of Pasadena scored a first-round knockout over Lance Lopez (1-1) of Los Angeles.

Boxing Notes Thursday night was Jackie McCoy night as the long-time fighter and trainer was honored. In attendence were the five world champions he’s trained--Carlos Palomino, Mando Ramos, Dan Jordan, Raul Rojas and Rodolfo Gonzalez. . . . John Montes of Whittier is scheduled to fight Eric Martin of San Francisco for the vacant California super lightweight title on the next card at the Irvine Marriott, June 29.