Ryan Garcia and Canelo Alvarez formed a strong relationship throughout the years training alongside each other under the auspices of touted coach Eddy Reynoso.
From 2018 to 2021, Garcia was 5-0 with 5 KOs as Alvarez’s stablemate.
But in 2021, Garcia took a break from boxing to tend to mental health issues, and by the time his next fight came around, Garcia had moved on from Team Canelo to form a union with trainer Joe Goossen.
Alvarez was critical of Garcia following the breakup, claiming that his understudy was ungrateful, had accomplished nothing, and was wasting his time and talent.
As the heavy fire came in verbally, Garcia admitted that he was fed up with the shocking criticism.
Garcia’s run with Goossen lasted three fights and ended after the 25-year-old’s April knockout loss to Gervonta Davis.
Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) has since linked up with reigning trainer of the year Derrick James, and the duo will make their debut on Dec. 2 against Oscar Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) at the Toyota Center in Houston on DAZN.
Before bestowing the coaching keys of his career to James, Garcia considered a reunion with Reynoso. Alvarez said Reynoso would need to evaluate a lot of things but he would ultimately support his lifelong confidant’s decision.
Although a reunion never materialized, Garcia says he’s set past differences aside with his former camp.
“Business, or whatever [Alvarez] ]wants to do, for sure. We definitely are cool now,” Garcia told BoxingScene.com in an interview. “I’ve talked to Eddy [Reynoso] and everything is all squashed. I have no hard feelings for them. I spent a lot of time in that gym and we have a lot of great memories. It’s sad to think about sometimes because of all of the fun times we had but that’s how life is. You have to go through new chapters. I’m so happy for Canelo and I want him to keep dominating and being the champion that I saw in the gym every day. I’m happy for him.”
In September, Garcia was ringside in Las Vegas to watch Alvarez’s dominant unanimous decision win against Jermell Charlo.
“Canelo is a global superstar, and he can do what he wants, in his own ways. What can I say? He’s done everything in the sport and he’s doing really good,” said Garcia. “He fought really well against Jermell. He looked like he was back to himself, so I just tip my cap off to Canelo.
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.