4 hrs ago
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CALABASAS, California — For the fourth consecutive year, Ryan Garcia enters a fresh campaign looking to win a marquee fight.
Those three attempts have all failed for various reasons. His fourth major opportunity — and third consecutive crack at a title — comes Saturday in Las Vegas vs. Mario Barrios in what could represent Garcia’s final shot to truly fulfill his potential.
Against Gervonta Davis, Garcia faced a serious disadvantage as he met “Tank” at a 136-pound catchweight with a rehydration clause. Garcia was KO'd in Round 7, and though not for a title it remains the biggest fight of his career.
Later that year, Garcia scored what still represents his career-best win, an eighth-round KO of Oscar Duarte. That performance has aged gracefully as Duarte is coming off an impressive victory over Kenneth Sims; he challenges Richardson Hitchins for the IBF junior welterweight title in Saturday’s chief-support bout.
The following year, Garcia appeared to finally win the big one with a majority decision victory over Devin Haney where he dropped him three times. Having missed weight though, that meant the title wasn't on the line. Far worse, he later failed a test for a performance-enhancing substance.
The win was overturned to a no-contest and Garcia suspended for one year. Upon returning, he found himself in another title shot and heavily favored to win. Instead, Rolly Romero floored Garcia in one of last year's biggest upsets.
Now, Garcia enters another high-stakes main event, and it’s one he simply can’t afford to lose.
“During that suspension, I was drinking, partying and doing whatever I want all the way through until they told me that I had to fight [Romero],” Garcia told The Ring last week after working out at Craft Boxing Club. "My instincts told me not to. My body wasn’t well.
“It had a lot of toxins in it, as you could imagine. A lot of stupid s*** I did. When you have a lot of people in your ear and people are telling you, ‘You can make $5 million, it’s an easy fight.’ … I didn’t trust my heart and trust my instincts, and I paid the price for it.”
Garcia looked like a deer in the headlights throughout the Romero fight. He says he knew he was going to lose “every day” of training camp as he attempted to lose 30 pounds.
Discipline and focus have always been the question marks with Garcia. Talent? Never in question. Garcia possesses perhaps the quickest hands in boxing. His vaunted left hook is one of the sport’s most dangerous weapons. He has serious power in both hands.
And despite the setbacks, Garcia remains one of boxing’s top stars. A victory Saturday delivered in impressive fashion will go a long way toward rewriting Garcia’s story.
Many fans and members of the boxing industry have questioned how he can even land a title shot after the run he’s on. But when you own Garcia’s looks and charisma — not to mention a massive social-media following — you’re afforded second and third chances in a business like boxing.
And at 27, there’s still time for him to reach the sport’s greatest heights. But eventually, perhaps even come Sunday with a loss, those opportunities will dry up.
“This ain't my fault,” Garcia said. “I’m just blessed. What am I supposed to do, just not take the opportunity? Is it fair? No. That ain't my problem, though.”
Now, Garcia must capitalize. If he doesn’t, then he will have a problem.
The rematch with Haney stands as one of boxing’s biggest fights. There’s real bad blood between the pair, with the first fight a thriller and, of course, all the drama from the PED suspension.
Haney did his part with a statement win over Brian Norman in November to become a three-division champion.
If Garcia can pull through with a dominant victory of his own in a welterweight title fight, a unification with Haney could be next.
But Barrios is all that matters right now. With Garcia, there are no guarantees right now. Only questions.
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