The boxing world turns its eyes to Riyadh this weekend for “Ring V: Night of the Samurai,” headlined by the pound-for-pound maestro Naoya Inoue defending his undisputed super bantamweight crown against David Picasso.

But one undercard clash is quietly brewing into a must-watch affair. On December 27, 2025, at the Mohammed Abdo Arena, undefeated Japanese prospect Taiga Imanaga squares off against battle-tested Dominican Eridson Garcia in a 10-round lightweight bout. This matchup pits youthful momentum against seasoned grit, and while it might fly under the radar amid the main event’s hype, it has all the makings of a explosive southpaw-vs-southpaw war. Let’s break it down.

Breaking Down The Fighters

At 26 years old, Taiga Imanaga – The Rising Tiger (9-0, 5 KOs) is the epitome of a modern boxing prospect: tall, rangy, and packing serious pop in his fists. Standing at 5’9.5″ with a 71-inch reach, the Yokohama-based southpaw uses his height advantage effectively in the lightweight division, where he towers over many opponents. Imanaga turned pro in 2022 after a stellar amateur career boasting a 113-13 record, and he’s wasted no time climbing the ranks.His 55.56% knockout rate underscores his dangerous southpaw reputation – he’s not just winning; he’s finishing fights with authority.

Strengths shine in his technical prowess and power. Imanaga claimed the Asian Lightweight Tournament title in 2024, pocketing a cool five million yen and proving he can handle multi-fight pressure.

Recent wins include a dominant performance over Yudai Murakami to snag the Japanese lightweight belt, showcasing crisp footwork, sharp counters, and a killer left hand that exploits openings from distance. 

Weaknesses? Experience is his only real gap – with just nine pro fights, he hasn’t faced the kind of adversity that comes from deep rounds against elite competition. But at this stage, his momentum is undeniable; he’s stepping up on a global stage in Riyadh, hungry to make a statement.

Eridson Garcia – The Dominican Dynamo, 31, brings a wealth of experience to the ring with a 22-1 record and 14 knockouts (63.64% KO rate), making him a legitimate threat despite being a late replacement. Hailing from Santo Domingo but based in Houston, this 5’9″ southpaw with a 71-inch reach has fought across super featherweight and lightweight, holding rankings like No. 11 in the WBO super feather division.

His lone loss came via KO, but he’s rebounded with a string of wins, including three straight victories heading into this bout.

Garcia’s style is aggressive and power-oriented, relying on volume punching and inside fighting to wear down foes. His amateur pedigree includes a 145-16 record with wins over future pros like Brandun Lee and Vergil Ortiz Jr., hinting at untapped potential even at this career stage. 

Strengths include his durability and knockout ability; he’s stopped opponents in devastating fashion, often overwhelming them with pressure.

However, as a short-notice sub for the originally scheduled Armando Martinez, preparation could be a Achilles’ heel; jet lag, weight adjustments from 130 to 135 lbs, and adapting to Imanaga’s reach might expose vulnerabilities in his defense. Age and that single loss also raise questions about his chin under sustained fire from a fresher opponent.

The Official Pick: Imanaga by Late KO

This is a classic prospect-vs-veteran test, and while Garcia’s experience makes it a 50/50 on paper, the scales tip toward Imanaga. Bookmakers have him as a strong favorite, and community predictions echo that with 86% backing him for a stoppage. 

Garcia’s power is real, but as a late replacement, he might struggle to match Imanaga’s speed and precision early on. Expect Imanaga to control the range with his jab, weather any mid-fight storms, and land a fight-ending left in rounds 7-9. It’s Imanaga’s time to shine – a win here catapults him toward title contention.

Where to Watch

The action kicks off at 4:00 AM ET on Saturday December 27, perfect for early risers or night owls. Catch the full card, including Imanaga vs. Garcia, live on DAZN PPV worldwide.

In a sport where undercards often deliver the real fireworks, this bout could be the hidden gem of “Night of the Samurai.” Don’t sleep on it

By Vincent

Photo Courtesy of Ring Magazine