Ryan Garcia praised his relationship with new coach Joe Goossen after he defeated Emmanuel Tagoe on Saturday night.
In a fight shown live on DAZN, the 23-year-old American marked 15 months out of the ring with a commanding performance against the experienced Ghanaian.
The return also marked Garcia’s first fight since he left Eddy Reynoso’s gym as part of an apparently strained relationship with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, though Garcia maintains he has no hard feelings with the Mexican champion.
Goossen has taken over as his trainer and a unanimous decision suggested - for now at least - the switch has done no harm to the young contender.
Speaking to DAZN after the fight, the former interim WBC champion praised his opponent and his trainer.
“I got nothing but respect for Tagoe, he fought a hard fight,” he began. “Making it a little difficult for me. He was crafty with the holding and stuff. He was moving a lot, I ain't gonna lie. It was a new experience, I’ve got to cut the ring off a little better with a guy who’s going to keep moving the whole 12 rounds.
“If I would have started pressing him hard earlier in the fight I would have got him out of there but it was a track-down fight. It’s a new experience, cutting down the ring with a guy who would fight to survive.
“He’s very slippery, so I had to walk him down. I was countering him with a lot of uppercuts but he didn't want that.”
Garcia said he expected further improvements to come with Goossen.
“I’ll learn more, I know I’ve got a lot in me,” he stated.
“It felt great, I was super comfortable with him. I love Joe, we’re very comfortable in the ring and we’ve got a great relationship. I’ve got nothing but love with him, he’s just the best guy.”