Who is ‘KingRy’ Ryan Garcia?

Ryan Garcia is a popular American boxer competing in the light welterweight division. Born in California in August 1998, Garcia has also boxed in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions since he turned professional in June 2016. Known for his ultra-fast hands and combination punching, Garcia has produced a number of highlight-reel knockouts in his career so far.

As he was under 18 years old when he turned professional, Garcia’s first four bouts in the paid ranks took place in Mexico. In the United States, under 18s are not permitted to box professionally. At the beginning of his career, his father, Henry, trained Garcia. They worked out of the garage at the family home in Victorville, California.

Huge Social Media Following

Ryan Garcia’s fights produce large viewing figures for broadcasters. His huge social media presence – over 14 million followers on Instagram and TikTok – ensures that his bouts are viewed by more than just traditional boxing fans. Garcia understands the importance of social media and has marketed himself well on those platforms, sharing plenty of details about his life along with boxing workout and training videos.

Boxing Achievements and Changing Trainers

Twenty-four fights into his professional campaign, Garcia still awaits to win a world title. He has captured some regional belts and an interim title at lightweight, but ultimate title glory has not come his way yet. Garcia linked up with Eddy Reynoso in October 2018. He worked with the Mexican trainer, who also trains Canelo Alvarez, until February 2022.

After Garcia split with Reynoso, he appointed veteran coach Joe Goossen as his head trainer. The Garcia-Goossen partnership lasted for three fights; victories over Emmanuel Tagoe and Javier Fortuna and a defeat to Gervonta Davis. After the Davis defeat, Garcia severed ties with Goossen, and it was confirmed he would now be working with Texas-based trainer Derrick James.

Break From Boxing, Significant Bouts, and What the Future May Hold

 During 2021, Garcia took a break from boxing, stating that he was stepping away to manage his health and well-being. This prompted many discussions around mental health in boxing. When Garcia returned in April 2022, he was under the tutelage of Joe Goossen, and there was a great deal of interest in his encounter with Emmanuel Tagoe. Despite having Tagoe on the canvas in the second round, Garcia failed to close the show and had to make do with a points victory after twelve completed rounds against an opponent who was just determined to survive.

Prior to fighting Tagoe and his break, Garcia had knocked out UK fighter Like Campbell. The January 2021 victory over Campbell is still the best win on Garcia’s record. Following the Tagoe fight, Garcia returned to KO-winning ways when he stopped Javier Fortuna in Los Angeles in July 2022.

Then came a long-anticipated showdown with Gervonta Davis. Garcia had been willing to face the big punching Davis for a while. Garcia versus Davis was contracted at a catch-weight of 136 pounds. Garcia experienced the power of Davis firsthand and was knocked out by a body shot in the seventh round of the Las Vegas contest. It was Garcia’s first, and so far only, career loss. Although the fight didn’t go his way, Garcia was credited with helping the promotion sell over one million pay-per-view buys in America—an impressive number for a non-title fight.

Garcia’s career record currently stands at 23 wins and one defeat. Nineteen of his wins have been by knockout. Ryan Garcia has said he will box at light welterweight in the immediate future. However, with his height and body type, it is thought he could eventually grow into welterweight or even light middleweight. No matter what weight division he competes in or whether titles are at stake or not, Garcia’s popularity and large social media following guarantee his fights will always attract a huge audience of interested observers.

Colin Morrison

A boxing fan since his teenage years, Morrison began writing about the sport in July 2016. He appreciates all styles of boxing and has nothing but respect for those who get in the ring for our entertainment. Morrison is from Scotland and can be found on Twitter @Morrie1981.

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