One of the most entertaining aspects of boxing often plays out outside the ring, and no current fighter epitomizes this sentiment better than the ever-energetic Ryan Garcia. Not one to shy away from voicing his opinions, Garcia recently informed Shakur Stevenson of his supposed intention to face Jose Zepeda. Later, the lightweight sensation even stirred up more intrigue by publicly calling out his former promoter, Oscar De La Hoya.
“Ryan Garcia tells Shakur he’ll make Zepeda fight.” The 23-year-old boxer declared his intention in a tweet saying, “Zepeda or bust!” This sudden announcement cut through the idle chatter of the boxing community like a Mike Tyson uppercut. Zepeda, a two-time world title challenger, is seen as a significant step up for Garcia. The young boxer is already known for his fan-friendly fighting style and electric hand speed but facing a formidable opponent like Zepeda could elevate his profile to new levels.
Notably, Garcia hasn’t set foot in a ring since defeating Britain’s defending WBC Interim Lightweight champ, Luke Campbell, in early 2021. While the world saw Garcia’s natural talent and resilience in that fight, his subsequent inactivity raises questions about his readiness to face a seasoned fighter like Zepeda.
These concerns, however, seem irrelevant to the steadfast Garcia. The Obligatory smack talk that usually accompanies these types of announcements was not spared. As he also tweeted “I’m not playing no games this year no one is safe.” A definite declaration that he is more than ready to handle his business. Nevertheless, he added a puzzling twist to the scenario by calling out his previous promoter, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya.
“Calls De La Hoya!” Oscar De La Hoya, the founder of Golden Boy Promotions, is the former handler of Garcia. Their partnership saw the rise of Ryan’s career, but it was not without its bumps. Both had their differences, with Garcia accusing the promotion company of not looking out for his best interests. It reached a point last year where Garcia tried to break free from the contractual obligations. Oscar De La Hoya was quick to squash that attempt.
However, the young boxing sensation took to social media recently, challenging his former promoter to a bout. A tweet from Garcia read, “I swear if De La Hoya comes back and fights, I’m going to have to take him out too. Not superiority but respect.” While it is not clear whether this was a playful poke or a legitimate call-out, it surely stirred the pot in the boxing world, fueling speculation about a potential fight.
While many may perceive Garcia’s actions as brash or irresponsible, it is undeniably adding spice and intrigue to an already exciting sport. Much like the legendary Muhammad Ali, Garcia understands that boxing is as much about selling tickets as it is about performing in the ring. As the sport enters a new era, characters like Ryan Garcia will become increasingly important in maintaining boxing’s global appeal.
In conclusion, only time will tell if these matches will come to fruition. Even so, the mind boggles at the thought of Ryan Garcia facing not only Zepeda but also his former promoter. Both fights are sure to be talked-about well into the future, not least among boxing fans who crave the theatrical spectacle as much as the sport itself.
