Fighter Profile: Ryan Garcia

By Oli Dickson Jefford

Ryan Garcia may well be one of the best boxers that you’ve never heard of.

In a career that started just over five and a half years ago, the American has fought 21 times and has won on each occasion, often in thrilling fashion. 

Here’s all you need to know about the lightweight who could be primed for a huge 2022.

Background

‘King Ryan’ was born on 8 August 1998 in Victorville, California to parents Henry and Lisa, who have four other children; Garcia’s younger brother, Sean, is also a boxer.

Henry Garcia was also a boxer when he was younger, meaning that Ryan had a straightforward path into the sport as a kid with his father coaching him through most of his early career.

He is incredibly close to his family and by and large spends most of his time still living at home despite his wealth and success.

Garcia represents his home country of the USA in the ring but is incredibly proud of his Mexican heritage, and often parades the flag of his ancestral homeland after fights.

Boxing Career

Garcia made his professional debut at super featherweight in June 2016 and his first four fights were all held in Tijuana, Mexico, winning three by TKO and one by unanimous decision.

Since then he has largely fought in the US, with the exception of one fight in Canada, and has won 18 of his 21 bouts by knockout.

He won his first belt in 2017, beating Miguel Carrizoza to win the vacant WBC-NABF Junior super featherweight title and defended that belt on a handful of occasions.

However, his standout victories have come since his step up to lightweight.

Garcia knocked out Romero Duno in the opening round of their November 2019 bout to win two smaller belts, and then picked up a similarly emphatic victory against Francisco Fonseca the following February.

Perhaps the most notable victory of his career came the last time he fought when he beat former world champion Luke Campbell in what proved to be the Brit’s last fight before retirement.

What next?

Garcia was meant to face Javier Fortuna in July 2021 and Joseph Diaz in November last year, but ended up pulling out of both fights.

The obvious starting point looking ahead would be to reschedule both these fights and pick up victories in both, which he is more than capable of.

The main long-term goal will be winning world titles and his devastating form shows this should be something he will achieve in his career.

There could be future moves up weight classes in the future, but for now, the focus should be on dominating the lightweight division.

Photo Credit: Getty Images