By Dan Ambrose: Popular Instagram fighter Ryan Garcia showed off his speed this week on social, throwing a flurry of air punches as he slowly prepares for his return to the ring after a tough bout with an anxiety problem.
Ryan’s hand speed and power in his left hook are second to none in the 135-lb division. It’s too bad he’s not been able to showcase his talent in 2021 by staying active.
The Golden Boy fighter, King Ryan Garcia has the chance to become a star, but he can’t do that by not fighting.
The unbeaten #2 WBC Ryan (21-0, 18 KOs) was said to be potentially fighting Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Diaz Jr. next, but that fight is now up in the air.
Boxing fans want to see the 23-year-old Ryan Garcia back inside the ring in 2021, as it’s been eight months since he dispatched Luke Campbell in seven rounds in a WBC 135-lb title eliminator.
After the victory, Ryan had the opportunity to use the mandatory status to challenge WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney, but he said he had other big fish to fry against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Manny Pacquiao.
When neither of those fights happened for Ryan, he was scheduled to face Javier Fortuna on July 9th in ANOTHER WBC lightweight title eliminator, but then he pulled out of the fight due to an anxiety problem.
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Ryan has got to step up and start challenging for a world title at some point, as he already chose not to fight WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Hearn wants Ryan Garcia to fight Haney
“I just wish Ryan Garcia would fight Devin Haney,” said Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn to Fighthype. “He’s been mandatory for Devin Haney.
“He pulled out of that position after beating Luke Campbell. Ryan can criticize Devin Haney, but Devin is out there fighting, taking care of business.
“You got another mandatory in Jo Jo Diaz. Come and fight. ‘Oh, he’s so beatable. He’s boring.’ Well, come and beat him. You can’t beat him. So stop talking about him or fight him.
“If Ryan Garcia won’t fight Devin Haney, if Jo Jo Diaz won’t fight Devin Haney, we got to find somebody that will fight Devin Haney.
“Richard Commey, someone with heart. ‘I’ll step up and fight for the WBC world title,’ because the guys that have been getting themselves into the final eliminators and mandatory opposition aren’t [fighting WBC lightweight champion Haney].
“But you guys [the boxing media] have got to put it on them. Say, ‘Why aren’t you?
“You just won a final eliminator to fight Devin Haney, and now you’ve pulled out. So, we’ll see if Jo Jo Diaz will do the same,” said Hearn.
It’s probably not going to happen for Haney to get a fight against Ryan Garcia in 2021. If that match-up is going to take place, it’ll happen in 2022.