Ryan Garcia is aware of he didn’t ship.
On Friday, Garcia confronted Rolly Romero in the principle occasion of the Deadly Fury: Metropolis of Wolves battle card in Occasions Sq. in New York Metropolis. It was Garcia’s first battle again since his suspension for testing optimistic for Ostarine towards Devin Haney in 2024, and in his return, “King Ryan” turned in a listless, irritating efficiency.
Romero dropped Garcia within the second spherical, and regardless of urgency from his nook because the battle started slipping away, “King Ryan” by no means received out of first gear, dropping a transparent unanimous determination. Afterward, Garcia credited Romero for his efficiency, but in addition acknowledged that he didn’t give a superb displaying.
“Clearly, it wasn’t a superb evening for me,” Garcia mentioned. “It was a reasonably, fairly off evening. Rolly did what he does. He had loads of good energy photographs, caught me within the second spherical, however even at first of the battle, I simply didn’t really feel like my toes have been underneath me, like I had something. However I attempted to battle by it and simply discovered myself very off after the yr layoff.
“That entire yr, it was rather a lot for me, mentally, as you guys know. So the truth that I received right here and my thoughts is as clear as it’s is a victory for me, I might say. However I’m extraordinarily upset in the way in which I fought, and it positively isn’t my greatest, in any means.”
Whereas commentators have been fast to recommend that the very long time off might have affected Garcia’s efficiency, there’s additionally the matter of the venue. The Deadly Fury occasion happened in a walled-off section of Times Square with minimal fan attendance, very totally different than the usually packed arenas Garcia normally fights in entrance of.
“I actually wasn’t a fan of that in any respect,” Garcia mentioned of the distinctive setting. “It felt like a sparring match, and it felt like you would hear everyone. It simply didn’t really feel genuine to me. However no excuses. It’s what it’s.”
“It was simply so bizarre as a result of normally when you step within the ring, the whole lot fades away,” Garcia added later. “This time I went within the ring and I might hear the whole lot. … All people simply screaming stuff. I don’t know why I didn’t zone it out. It simply felt like a bizarre fever dream. It was so awkward. Normally fights don’t really feel that means.”
Garcia’s loss now raises questions on what comes subsequent. Each he and Haney competed on Friday and have been presupposed to rematch subsequent, nevertheless it’s unclear if Romero’s win modifications that. For individuals who need the rematch, the brilliant facet is that whereas Haney gained his battle with Jose Ramirez, he was far from impressive, that means a loss might not upend the rematch fully. However now there’s additionally the potential for a Garcia rematch with Romero. And for his half, “King Ryan” is open to no matter followers wish to see most.
“Regardless of the followers need,” Garcia mentioned. “If they need me to run it again with Rolly, let’s do it. If they need me to go straight for Devin, let’s do it. Kinds make fights. I’m keen to battle both of them once more.”
