Can Ryan Garcia Commit and Become a World Champion?
“King” Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) returns to the ring on December 2 against Oscar Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) in a scheduled twelve-round junior welterweight contest in San Antonio, Texas. Garcia believes this upcoming fight is the first step towards winning a world title. But is Garcia a world champion-caliber fighter?
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
It’s the first fight for Garcia since a seventh-round stoppage loss to Gervonta “Tank” Davis on April 22. Speaking with Matchroom Boxing, the 25-year-old native of Los Angeles, California looked back on that fight and had a come-to-Jesus meeting with himself. Despite the pain of losing, Garcia views it as a teaching tool.
“I did lose, and that happened, and it kind of hit me, and I was like, ‘I’m never gonna lose again, I don’t wanna lose again’. I’m going to erase the things I was doing.
I was not being a professional. But sometimes you gotta lose to realize shit – I gotta make a change. It’s not fun and games. This is a real sport. You could get hurt.”
BEING THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE
That change included hiring a new trainer, 2022 3kingsboxing.com’s Trainer of the Year Derrick James. Since the loss to Davis, the Californian has been with James in Dallas, Texas. Garcia said the benefits have been immediate, and he’s gown quite a lot. With a new insight and focus, Garcia said his goals are clear regarding his future.
“I see myself giving everything I have to boxing for as long as I can . . . I’m committed to taking this as far as I can and becoming a champion, how many times that’s going to be, having great fights with great fighters.”
“I’m here to do it, and I’m not going to let my life waste by without reaching my full potential. I’m still young, and I can do it.”
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Saying you want to be a world champion is one thing. But many in the boxing community wonder if Garcia has the skills and temperament to make that aspiration a reality.
He has the physical tools with his height, reach, fast hands, and punching power. But Garcia has always been a fighter who is defensively flawed. Garcia doesn’t implore enough head and upper body movement. He often fights coming in a straight line, which leaves him open to getting hit. There’s no creativity in his attack.
When the fighter from California said he was not being professional, that’s a spot-on assessment of himself because he’s never learned the subtle nuances it takes to be a well-rounded, complete fighter. Up to this point, the young man seemed more focused on popularity and fame than the grind it takes to be the best you can be.
Can that change? Of course, and it seems that right now is the time. It also helps that he has James in his corner, who does not tolerate any nonsense.
But ultimately, the proof is in the pudding. As it stands right now, it’s a big question mark on whether Garcia has what it takes to become a world champion. He hopes to change the hearts and minds of his skeptics on December 2 against Duarte.
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