Ryan Garcia is one of the brightest young stars in boxing and currently holds the WBC interim lightweight championship. But recent news concerning Garcia has been more centered around his life outside the boxing ring.
Ryan Garcia abruptly canceled a scheduled July 9 matchup against Javier Fortuna. Garcia explained via social media that he needed a timeout from the sport to focus on his mental health. He went on to say he has battled anxiety for years and felt it was time for him to meet the challenge head-on.
The announcement fueled great speculation in and out of the boxing world. Garcia’s hardest critics accused him of faking the problem. Recently, Ryan Garcia shared his thoughts on the matter with ESNEWS:
Garcia says he harbors no bitterness toward the people who criticize him. He says it is difficult for others to understand the pain of mental illness. “You can tell if someone has a broken leg,” Ryan explains. Ryan says his struggles are something that even he can’t see but still affects his life each day.
Ryan Garcia did not speak of a timeline but promised fans he would emerge from his problem better than ever. He acknowledged he still has a lot to prove as a fighter and plans to demonstrate his full potential to the boing world. Garcia says he understands some people will never agree with his decision to pause his career but knows he made the right decision.
Ryan Garcia speaks about his mental struggles with a maturity well beyond his 22 years. The young fighter explains he only needs to be tough inside a boxing ring. He feels no pressure to pretend he is fine outside of the ring when he is not. Garcia also wanted people to know that money and fame do not exempt a person from the daily pressures of life.