LAS VEGAS — Kevin Newman III delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises. On the undercard of Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman, Newman rallied late to defeat Elijah Garcia by majority decision Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Entering as nearly a 4-1 underdog, Newman (19-3-1, 11 KOs) turned the fight in his favor down the stretch. After weathering Garcia’s pressure in the middle rounds, Newman:
- Took over in rounds 8–10
- Increased his output
- Exploited Garcia’s defensive lapses
The result:
- Eric Cheek: 98-92 Newman
- David Sutherland: 96-94 Newman
- Kermit Bayless: 95-95 draw
Majority decision victory for Newman.
Experience vs. Youth
At 34 years old, Newman used experience and composure to outlast the younger Garcia (18-2, 13 KOs), who entered the fight with momentum expectations despite recent inconsistencies.
Garcia, 22, had moved up in weight following a difficult cut to 160 pounds but the adjustment didn’t produce the result he needed.
Fight Breakdown
Early Rounds (1–4)
- Garcia struggled to land clean early
- Found rhythm in rounds 3 and 4 with right hooks
Middle Rounds (5–7)
- Garcia’s pressure increased
- Controlled much of rounds 5 and 6
- Newman showed flashes, including a sharp uppercut in round 7
Championship Rounds (8–10)
- Newman flipped the fight
- Landed cleaner, more consistent shots
- Closed strong, especially in rounds 9 and 10
The difference was activity and accuracy late.
A Statement Win for Newman
The victory marks Newman’s eighth straight win, continuing a strong run since back-to-back losses earlier in his career.
Trained by Roy Jones Jr., Newman showed:
- Discipline
- Patience
- Fight IQ
Most importantly he delivered when it mattered most. Kevin Newman III didn’t just win. He earned it. Against a younger, favored opponent, he stayed composed, weathered the storm, and closed the show like a veteran.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
