To Say Ryan Garcia Has Had a Bad Year is an Understatement
The Rise and Fall of a Boxing Star
Ryan Garcia entered 2024 with one loss in 25 professional fights. He was young, handsome, talented, and charismatic. In a struggling sport that is all about brashness and self-promotion, Garcia seemed a savior. However, his career has taken a drastic turn, with a series of self-inflicted body blows that have sent his career to the canvas.
The Troubles of Ryan Garcia
In January, Garcia filed for divorce from his wife, Andrea Celina. In April, he gave up a chance to win the WBC super lightweight title when he failed to make the 140-pound weight limit for his fight with Devin Haney. The fight went on anyway, and Garcia won a majority decision, only to forfeit the upset victory when he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He also incurred $1.8 million in fines and a year’s suspension.
The Fallout
Garcia’s troubles didn’t stop there. In June, he was arrested for causing thousands of dollars in damage at a tony Beverly Hills hotel. The case was later dismissed when Garcia paid $15,000 in restitution. In July, his then-estranged wife posted video and photos to Instagram allegedly showing the damage Garcia caused when he broke into their home. He was also expelled from the World Boxing Council over slurs against Blacks and Muslims he made on social media.
The Lawsuit
In September, Haney filed a lawsuit in New York charging Garcia with battery, fraud, and breach of contract over the April fight. Garcia’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year isn’t over yet, with more than six weeks to go.
The Road to Redemption
Garcia is training for a possible New Year’s Eve exhibition against a mixed martial artist in Japan and a January appearance at a festival in Dubai. Can he climb off the canvas and save his career? Fighters may be trained to get up when they’ve been knocked down, but first, they have to know they’re being counted out. And Garcia has yet to admit that.
Conclusion
Ryan Garcia’s story is one of self-destruction. Despite his talent and charisma, he has made a series of poor decisions that have led to his downfall. However, he still has a chance to redeem himself. If he can focus on his craft and tone down his extracurricular activities, he may be able to turn his career around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to Ryan Garcia’s career?
A: Garcia’s career took a drastic turn after a series of self-inflicted body blows, including failing to make the weight limit for his fight with Devin Haney, testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, and making slurs against Blacks and Muslims on social media.
Q: Why was Garcia suspended?
A: Garcia was suspended for a year and incurred $1.8 million in fines after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Q: What is Garcia’s current situation?
A: Garcia is training for a possible New Year’s Eve exhibition against a mixed martial artist in Japan and a January appearance at a festival in Dubai. He is also facing a lawsuit from Devin Haney over the April fight.
Q: Can Garcia recover from his troubles?
A: Yes, Garcia can still recover from his troubles. If he can focus on his craft and tone down his extracurricular activities, he may be able to turn his career around.
