Ryan Garcia, born on August 8, 1998, is an American professional boxer who has made a significant impact on the sport. He held the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim lightweight title in 2021. This article explores Garcia's journey in boxing, from his early professional career to his most recent fights and controversies.
Early Career and Golden Boy Promotions
Garcia turned professional at age 17 on June 9, 2016. In his first professional bout, he fought against Edgar Meza in Tijuana, winning the match by TKO. Soon after, in November 2016, Garcia signed with Golden Boy Promotions. Oscar De La Hoya announced Garcia would make his debut on December 17, 2016, on the Smith-Hopkins light-heavyweight main event at The Forum.
In October 2018, Garcia started training with Eddy Reynoso, who also trained Canelo Álvarez and Óscar Valdez at their gym in San Diego, California. In September 2019, Garcia extended his contract with a new five-year deal with Golden Boy Promotions. Golden Boy announced Garcia's next bout would be the co-main event of Canelo Álvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Championship Pursuit
On October 8, it was announced Garcia would be facing Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell for the interim WBC lightweight title at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California. The fight was originally scheduled for December 5, 2020, but was pushed back to January 2, 2021, due to Campbell contracting COVID-19. The venue was also changed to the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
In round 2 of his fight with Campbell, Garcia was knocked down for the first time in his professional career. He survived the knockdown, as he got up shortly after hitting the canvas.
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On April 13, 2021, it was announced by DAZN that Garcia would defend his newly won WBC interim lightweight title against Dominican former WBA (Regular) super featherweight champion, Javier Fortuna. The bout was set for July 9 in a location to be determined, and the winner would become the mandatory challenger to WBC lightweight champion, Devin Haney. However, on April 24, Garcia announced he had withdrawn from the bout, to "manage his health and well being". Former IBF super featherweight champion Joseph Diaz agreed to move up to lightweight to fill in for Garcia and fight Fortuna on July 9.
Return to the Ring
On February 4, 2022, it was announced that Garcia would be returning to the ring after a long spell of inactivity against former IBO lightweight champion Emmanuel Tagoe on April 9. On July 16, 2022, Garcia faced Javier Fortuna in a super lightweight bout in Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Garcia dominated the fight scoring knockdowns in rounds four, five and six, with the referee stopping the fight after the third knockdown.
Davis vs. Garcia
On February 24, 2023, it was announced that Garcia would face Gervonta Davis on April 22, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a 136 lbs catchweight contest. The long-awaited bout was a joint PPV event between Showtime and DAZN. Davis knocked down Garcia in the second round and then also in the seventh round from a body shot. Garcia was unable to rise on the referee's count of ten, leading to Gervonta Davis being declared winner via KO.
Following the fight, Garcia was criticized by some boxing figures for not rising in the seventh round. In an appearance on Max on Boxing, Timothy Bradley said that Garcia "quit". Promoter Eddie Hearn stated, "you can't say that he didn't quit. But I don't blame him for doing it, like most people in that position would've done that.
Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia HIGHLIGHTS | BOXING FULL FIGHT HD
Recent Fights and Controversies
Garcia faced Oscar Duarte at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. On February 9, 2024, it was announced that Garcia vs. Devin Haney was signed for April 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada for the WBC super lightweight title. Two days before the fight, Garcia agreed to a wager with Haney that Garcia would pay $500,000 for every pound over the limit should he miss weight. Garcia later weighed in at 143.2lbs, 3.2lbs over the championship limit, and would forfeit up to $600,000 of his purse to Haney.
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On July 4, 2024, Garcia was expelled by the WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán after using racial slurs against black people and disparaging Muslims in comments livestreamed on social media.
However, on November 4, 2025, the WBC lifted the ban on Ryan Garcia for racist remarks.
Garcia vs Rolando Romero confirmed for early May in Times Square, NYC.
Personal Life
Garcia comes from a large family. His parents have been actively involved with his career since he was an amateur. His father remains one of his trainers and his mother works as his personal administrative assistant for commercial projects. Garcia attended Adelanto High School before leaving because of amateur boxing commitments.
In March 2019, Garcia's daughter was born. In 2024, his ex-wife Andrea Celina accused him of breaking into her home and smashing her belongings. She also posted screenshots of text messages between her and Garcia, revealing the boxer's alleged aggressive and hostile behavior.
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Garcia's Loss to Ricardo Fernandez
Ricardo Fernandez knockout punch came as a surprise to Alan Garcia who has unbeaten record. The Top Rank Garcia went home with an egg on the face after a highly electrified a Munguia-Bazinyan undercard clash on Friday night. Alan Garcia who is 21 years, is a fast-rising talent from Mexico. He has built his reputation and career from his aggressive style as well as quick hands. He has a solid record and rounds of remarkable wins. Garcia is a smart and adaptable boxer, who has relentless pressure. During his match with Fernandez, Garcia depended on his height, strength, as well as fitness merits to win the match. He swept the first four rounds on all scorecards held by the three judges. However, on the fifth round tables changed. The Kansas born Garcia (14-1), altered his stance to southpaw. He dropped his left hand, presenting an opportunity for Fernandez Ricardo, which he required to wind up the punch of his life. Garcia crashed backward, the back of his head bounced on the ring mat just under the ropes. “I took advantage (of the change) to land an overhand right,” said Fernandez.“A good overhand right. I felt it. I felt my knuckle. I felt the excitement. I trained hard for this. I worked for this,” said Fernandez Ricardo during after match press briefing. “I saw his eyes (roll backward), I saw he wasn’t getting up,” said Fernandez upon dropping his momentous punch. Fernandez retreated to the neutral corner upon making the sign of the cross. He recorded his second knockout after playing 29 fights. “That (sign) was for my grandma, all my family up in heaven who believed in me, all of my (boxing) heroes - I looked up and saw (ringside broadcaster/boxing legend) Julio Cesar Chavez. I didn’t expect to see him there,” said Fernandez.Fernandez, who was largely considered to be an underdog in the fight, shocked many people. “We should be fighting better guys,” Garcia trainer/manager Gloria Alvarado scolded Fernandez hours before the match. “The motivation in my head - my city, my family, my woman, my kids,” drove Fernandez to deliver a thorough knockout.