Ryan Garcia is gearing up for his return to boxing following a rollercoaster 12 months.
The 26-year-old from California has not fought since his controversial showdown with two-weight world champion Devin Haney last April.
Despite Garcia initially being declared the winner after putting on arguably the best performance of his career, it was later revealed that he had tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine prior to the fight taking place and on the day of the fight itself.
Garcia was issued with a one-year suspension from boxing and a fine of over $1 million. His victory over Haney was eventually ruled as a no-contest, reinstating the unbeaten record of ‘The Dream’.
‘King Ry’ has also shared the ring with three-weight world champion Gervonta Davis, although Garcia has actually admitted that ‘Tank’ is not the hardest puncher he has ever faced.
In an interview with Ring Champs, Garcia revealed the biggest hitter he has ever come up against as Oscar Duarte, who he knocked out at the end of 2023.
“Oscar Duarte. He’s the only one that’s ever cut my eye, when he hit me with an uppercut in the clinch, and I was like you know doing my Ryan roll. That dude could crack bro, he felt like he had rocks in his hands.”
Garcia returns to the ring on May 2 when he faces Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in Times Square, New York. It is expected that he will face Haney in their highly anticipated rematch later this year, so long as the 26-year-old comes through his showdown with Romero unscathed.
Haney also returns on the card in New York City, facing off against former unified super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez.
