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Ryan Garcia has found himself on the wrong side of several powerful entities in the boxing world, namely the New York State Athletic Commission and the WBC. The controversial boxer's positive test for ostarine, an anabolic androgenic gent that's been banned by WADA since 2008, led to a one-year suspension.
Moreover, his recent racist and Islamophobic tirade against black people and Muslims sparked the ire of the WBC, who promptly expelled him. Despite announcing his retirement from boxing in the wake of the aforementioned scandals, Garcia, who is flighty, will undoubtedly return to 'The Sweet Science.'
By June 2025, he will be eligible to fight again, and there are plenty of matchups for him to consider and prepare for as he commits to a year away from the sport.
#5. Ryan Garcia vs. Sebastian Fundora
After his weigh-in failure against Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia found himself ineligible to capture the then WBC super lightweight champion's belt, despite originally beating 'The Dream' via majority decision: a result that has since been overturned to a no-contest due to his positive ostarine test.
However, following what was originally a win over Haney, Garcia expressed a desire to officially capture a world title to silence his detractors. He thereafter set his sights on a championship bout with Sebastian Fundora, who currently holds the WBC and WBO light middleweight belts.
"I had a vision to fight Fundora at 154. I just feel like I could knock him out."
Check out Ryan Garcia talking about fighting Sebastian Fundora:
Due to being expelled by the WBC, he cannot compete for the organization's title, but he can compete for the WBO belt. If he is serious about pursuing a world title, a fight with Fundora would be sensible, that is if Fundora is still champion by June next year.
#4. Ryan Garcia vs. Jaron Ennis
After Ryan Garcia's stunning and subsequently controversial performance against Devin Haney, his father found himself in a backstage confrontation with Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn. During the exchange, Jaron Ennis' name was brought up, which seemed to silence Garcia senior.
The suggestion of a matchup between Ennis and 'KingRy' drew the attention of boxing fans, even if only briefly. With Ennis currently on a tear as the reigning IBF welterweight champion, a bout with him would be optimal for Garcia. First, there's already something of a backstory for fans to buy into, and both men are interested.
Second, a title will be on the line that isn't tied to the WBC's expulsion of Garcia. Third, the pair will meet at welterweight, which will serve Garcia's interest in no longer cutting weight to super lightweight and the lower divisions.
#3. Ryan Garcia vs. Caleb Plant
Ryan Garcia and Caleb Plant are separated by quite a few weight classes, given that the latter fights at super middleweight, where he has even taken on the great Canelo Álvarez, albeit in a losing effort. However, there are two key reasons why a bout between Garcia and Plant could work.
Check out Ryan Garcia's near-brawl with Caleb Plant:
The first is bad blood. Garcia has taken aim at Plant for various reasons over the years, prompting the latter to confront him in a near-melee after Gervonta Davis' win over Frank Martin. This led to 'KingRy' ramping up his trash talk on social media, targeting his rival's wife, Jordan Plant.
Garcia repeatedly claimed to have slept with her. Given their animosity and the former's lack of desire to cut weight, Garcia can bulk up en route to super middleweight for a possible clash with Plant.
#2. Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney II
Ryan Garcia previously expressed interest in a rematch with Devin Haney, and it's a sensible position. Their first matchup has become the stuff of modern boxing legend. Garcia failed to make weight despite not even trying to and rendered himself ineligible to capture WBC super lightweight gold.
When they did finally lock horns, Garcia rocked and dropped Haney several times for an initial majority decision that highlighted one of the biggest upsets in boxing, with so much talk about the former's mental health during the leadup. In the aftermath, such talk has only been reignited.
Garcia, despite protesting his innocence, failed a test for ostarine, and his win was overturned. To truly settle the score with Haney, a rematch should come next. It would generate a tremendous amount of interest due to their history, and it's a fight that Haney has already entertained.
#1. Ryan Garcia vs. Gervonta Davis II
The first loss of Ryan Garcia's professional career came courtesy of a Gervonta Davis body shot that rendered him unable to continue. This incident sparked conversations about 'KingRy's' toughness or supposed lack thereof. Garcia, for his part, attributed the loss to the rehydration clause in his contract.
He has since claimed that a rematch where a severe weight cut doesn't drain him would go differently. After 'Tank's' knockout of Frank Martin, 'KingRy,' who has been campaigning for a rematch, congratulated him ring-side as the two laughed by the ropes.
Afterward, Davis expressed a willingness to face Garcia again. It's a big money fight, and if Garcia is truly serious about pursuing it, then a rematch would be of great interest to the fight world.
