Ryan Garcia has been invited to enter a catchweight matchup that has been ‘brewing’ for ‘virtually three years,’ regardless of experiences indicating that he’s gearing as much as face Mario Barrios in February.
The 27-year-old was final seen shedding to Rolando Romero, the present WBA world welterweight champion, through unanimous determination in Might.
Again then, Garcia had solely simply returned from his year-long medicine ban, which he was handed by the New York State Athletic Fee after testing constructive for ostarine.
The lacklustre nature of his efficiency towards Romero noticed him dropped within the second spherical and handily overwhelmed down the stretch.
It was a far cry from his show towards Devin Haney, who he floored thrice and ultimately outpointed in April 2024, earlier than his majority determination victory was overturned to a no-contest because of the constructive medicine check.
Regardless of his lack of a win since 2023, when he stopped Oscar Duarte, Garcia is anticipated to safe a direct world title shot, towards WBC welterweight champion Barrios, on a reported date of February 21.
Whereas this seems to be the plan, ‘King Ry’ has now been known as out for a combat towards Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, who boxed to a fiercely-contested draw with Lamont Roach Jr final month.
In response to Cruz, who spoke with ESPN Knockout, Garcia has remained on his radar for a substantial size of time.
“That combat has been brewing for nearly three years now, and I feel it might be greater than engaging to all the followers.”
With Cruz sometimes campaigning at 140lbs, he believes that an agreed catchweight between welter and super-lightweight may supply a perfect answer for each events.
“These could be factors to debate internally. I feel [the fight could happen] in an intermediate class, or a [catchweight].”
As issues stand, Garcia nonetheless plans o face Barrios in February, pending an official announcement, however a conflict with Cruz – dubbed a mini Mike Tyson for his relentless type and praised by the heavyweight legend himself – could also be an possibility later this yr.
