Before things went incredibly wrong, Ryan Garcia had options.

Jaron Ennis, Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and of course, a Devin Haney rematch. They all made sense. All Garcia needed to do was beat Rolando “Rolly” Romero in the most violent way possible. Hell, just eking by him would’ve been acceptable.

Yet, on The Ring’s May 2 card, in New York’s Times Square, Garcia fought listlessly and like a man without a plan. Ultimately, it cost him.

Now, courtesy of that 12-round decision defeat, his options have fizzled, at least in the immediate future. However, his future isn't completely ruined and, according to three-division world champion Jorge Linares, 39, he has two choices.

"Ryan Garcia could either retire or make a fight with me," Linares told K.O. Artist Sports. "I can come back."

Linares (47-9, 29 KOs) walked away seemingly at the right time, announcing his retirement in October 2023 after a 12-round decision defeat by Jack Catterall. Although he captured world titles in multiple divisions, it became increasingly clear in his last few years that the Venezuelan was a shell of his former self.

In 2018, Linares vacillated between wins and losses. Some days, he seemed spectacular. In others he looked like damaged goods.

In 2021, the downward spiral continued. His offense was fairly meek in a lopsided points loss to Devin Haney before Zaur Abdullaev's 12th-round knockout win at his expense.

Although he did his best to stop the bleeding, things got progressively worse. Following consecutive defeats by Zhora Hamazaryan and Catterall, Linares called it a career.

Despite walking away, Linares is still deeply in love with the sport. He’s often spotted sitting ringside at fights and even swings by local gyms.

The soon-to-be 40-year-old isn't lacking motivation, but his skills aren't quite what they used to be. If a showdown against Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) presented itself, Linares believes he'll be able to take a dive into the fountain of youth and emerge looking as dangerous as ever.

"I can [expletive] kill him."