Ryan Garcia admitted that he’d been training and fighting at 50% for so long after suffering a knockout loss to Gervonta Davis, and he’s since made significant changes to clean up his act.
After five fights with Eddy Reynoso from 2018 to 2021 and three with Hall of Fame coach Joe Goossen, the 25-year-old has since linked up with reigning trainer of the year Derrick James.
“Everything with Derrick James since the beginning of camp has been around technique and cleaning up the little things I do, footwork, and just the basics, the fundamentals,” Garcia told BoxingScene.com in an interview.
“From there we opened it up and now things are flowing and things are moving. I feel the best since 2020. Plus, I’ve sharpened up some rough edges. It couldn’t be better right now. We’re doing a great job. And really what’s different is my commitment and dedication to the sport. All of those things combined, nothing bad can happen after that.”
The 25-year-old Garcia moved camp to the World Class Boxing Gym in Dallas.
The Texas-based fighter-turned-coach James has one of boxing’s deepest stables leading the star-studded likes of Errol Spence Jr., Anthony Joshua, Jermell Charlo, and Frank Martin.
“I’m not letting up. I am going to put my foot on everyone’s neck, foot to the peddle, and full throttle. This is me being healthy and at my best. The mindset is no compromises and giving everything we got and campaigning to become a world champion at 140 pounds. That’s my mindset and Derrick’s mindset. He said to me that I’m his last fighter. When I retire, he retires,” said Garcia.
“I earned my sh!t. I’m tired of people disrespecting me. I’ve been boxing since I was seven years old, working with my dad every single day, grinding to get here. I’m tired of that. Don’t tell me that I’m not dedicated.”
Garcia sounds revived and rejuvenated, especially after former teammate Canelo Alvarez also questioned his dedication to the sport over the last couple of years.
Garcia admitted that he lost a step following his mental health break and that inactivity crippled him.
“I plan on going on a run like I did prior to 2020 when I was just killing it,” said Garcia. “I’m going to do it again but at 140 and then become a champion. And then run it back with Gervonta Davis because I’m a better fighter. That wasn’t me. I wasn’t committed to the sport the way I am now. I was in Los Angeles doing whatever I wanted. This change and where I am at life is who I am. That’s my main focus – to be a world champion at 140, get the rematch with Tank and beat him, and then the sky is the limit.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.