It’s been a turbulent year for Ryan Garcia. Less than 12 months ago, he shocked the boxing world by flooring Devin Haney, only for his own career to take a nosedive soon after. Positive PED tests stripped him of the win. Then, a social media rant led to his expulsion from the WBC.
Now, Garcia is trying to change the narrative. At a press conference in New York promoting the upcoming “Fatal Fury” event, where he’ll face Rolando “Rolly” Romero on May 2, Garcia struck a more reflective tone. “I want to be great,”he said. “I want to show my dedication to the sport and be a true professional.”
But just as quickly as Garcia seemed to turn a new leaf, the old version resurfaced.
New attitude? Or just new words?
Within 48 hours of his heartfelt statements, Garcia sent an aggressive tweet to Romero, promising to “slap the f*** outta” him if he crossed a line. Then, at the press event itself, he got into a heated exchange with Teofimo Lopez. When Lopez referred to himself as the Ring magazine champion, Garcia snapped: “We don’t give a f*, bro.”**
For someone working to rebuild his reputation, Garcia is making it tough for fans to buy in. While some chalk it up to his natural bravado, others see it as a sign that his behavior hasn’t changed at all.
Social media only complicates things. Garcia’s expulsion from the WBC stemmed from offensive comments during a livestream. Since then, his posts have swung between motivational messages and erratic outbursts, leaving many unsure of what to believe.
Still, promoter Oscar De La Hoya remains optimistic. “Ryan has the skills and charisma to be a superstar,” he said. “It’s up to him now to prove he’s serious.”
With fight night approaching, Garcia has one clear opportunity: step into the ring, keep his head down, and let his performance speak for itself. But for a fighter whose persona is as much a part of his brand as his left hook, staying quiet might be the hardest fight of all.
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