Ryan Garcia has likely been the most talked about fighter this past year following a slew of diverse and unique circumstances that has allowed him to take the spotlight for anything other than his boxing ability in the ring. The American super lightweight contender recently released a video on Twitter/X where he explained he was safe and healthy following several posts left on Twitter and Instagram which suggested otherwise. However, the video only served to amplify the enigma surrounding Garcia’s personal life as he revealed he was no longer in access of his phone―despite his video being uploaded on his own Twitter account.
From being spotted in public with Floyd Mayweather Jr―the known rival of Golden Boy Promotions’ owner Oscar De La Hoya―to having one of the most memorable press conferences in boxing history, Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KO’s) has certainly managed to draw attention to himself the past three months, and the train has not stopped.
In the wake of particularly an Instagram post where Ryan Garcia, a self-proclaimed Christian, appeared to be promoting Satanism―amongst other things including subsequently more odd messages through Twitter , the 25-year old 140-pounder now came out to address that none of his posts were his doing.
“Hey guys, it’s me Ryan [Garcia]. I’m coming on here to explain what’s going on,” Garcia said on a video that was posted on his Twitter account.
“I’m not in possession of my phone, I can’t get access to my Instagram. My cards are blocked. I’m just being real taken advantage [of], and I personally just want to send out a video to the people that love me―my fans, my family that are concerned, that I’m okay.
“I’m not dead, I believe in Jesus. All those [posts] are lies, and they tried to put me in jail, they blocked all my cards, I can’t access my money. Nobody’s hitting [calling/messaging] me back. I don’t know what’s going on, but just know I’m okay.“
There is currently no decipherable lead on who Ryan Garcia was referring to with his accusations, which include his unknown perpetrators preventing him from gaining access to his bank accounts and apparently no longer having access to his phone.
Speculatively, this situation could be linked to the robbery that was staged inside his home while he was away, though it should be noted that Garcia did not substantiate on who the culprits were. He presumably was able to acquire another phone in order to access his Twitter account to put out the video―meaning that he has likely regained control of that account, but according to Garcia he no longer is in possession of his main/original mobile phone.
These circumstances, which are widely unique and unheard of, do clarify the bundle of messages that recently appeared on Ryan Garcia’s Twitter account and have now been deleted. With Garcia having admitted during the LA press conference for his fight with Devin Haney to using drugs/alcohol, his Twitter posts did bring up some worries, but the 140 lbs contender now appears to be dealing with a different situation entirely.
There are inklings that this all could merely be a ploy by Garcia himself to withdraw from his upcoming April 20th fight against WBC super lightweight/junior lightweight champion Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KO’s). Garcia has had cases where he withdrew from fights or negotiations, such as when he was scheduled to face Javier Fortuna (38-4-1, 27 KO’s) in 2021 only for him to withdraw from the fight with Garcia explaining he was looking after his physical and mental health.
Ryan Garcia would go on to fight Fortuna the next year, knocking out the Dominican fighter in the sixth round of their July 16th match in 2022, but almost two years later he would spark controversy again when he attempted to fight Devin Haney only to call out Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-1, 13 KO’s) just weeks after declaring his interest to fight Haney.
While the fight with Haney was later revisited and eventually signed and sealed, Garcia’s subsequent callouts of UFC champion Sean O’Malley [in a MMA contest] and cruiserweight prospect Jake Paul (9-1, 6 KO’s) did not suggest Ryan Garcia was fully committed.
If Garcia has been a victim of some sort of hacking or robbing, it does complicate the preparation for his fight with Haney which is set more than a month from now. Given Garcia is supposed to be in training, the recent set of circumstances will partially and marginally determine the success of his training camp.
While further information still needs to arrive regarding the exact issues that Garcia is facing, the title fight between him and Haney is still set to commence on April 20th and will be Garcia’s first opportunity to win a world title. Given the existing rivalry between WBC champion Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, the recent odd turn of events can also serve as further fuel for their match which can considered to be one of the most significant fights of the super lightweight division as two amateur rivals go head-to-head to draw a final conclusion to their passionate competitiveness .
