Ryan Garcia is currently serving a one-year doping ban but is set to return to the ring from April 2025.
The 26-year-old put in a career-best performance against Devin Haney earlier this year. Though he came in overweight and was ineligible to win Haney’s WBC Super-Lightweight World Title, Garcia upset the odds by dropping the champion three times on the way to a points victory.
His celebrations were short-lived when it was revealed he had twice tested positive for banned substance Ostarine. His win was subsequently overturned to a no contest.
Though he is ineligible to compete currently, he is gearing up for a return and will draw many eyes to the event when he does so. With his struggled making the 140 pound limit at super-lightweight, he may be considering a move up to 147.
There are four options for title shots, one of which is IBF Champion Jaron Ennis. The switch-hitter from Philadelphia is undefeated in 33 with 29 early finishes.
‘Boots’ Ennis was out this weekend in his hometown for a rematch with Karen Chukhadzhian, who he beat on points early last year. Despite promising a knockout this time around, Ennis was again taken the distance by the tough Ukrainian. Despite winning clearly on the scorecards, the performance left some fans and pundits with more questions than answers.
That includes Garcia, who took to social media post-fight to say that he would stop the 27-year-old.
“Boots will get knocked out by me. This ref still sucks. And Eddie [Hearn] gotta stop calling his fighters legends prematurely.”
Whether or not Garcia does move up in weight remains to be seen. If not, he has a potential rematch with Haney on the table or another title shot against Teofimo Lopez.
‘Boots’ may consider changing division himself with more opportunity for big and challenging fight nights in the 154 ranks.
