‘Something terrible’ – Ryan Garcia had Eddie Hearn fearing the worst before comeback
Eddie Hearn believes Ryan Garcia ‘should be very proud’ of his return to the ring. Garcia was suspended for one year by the New York Athletic Commission (NYSAC) in June 2024 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Garcia [left] fights Romero at around 4am UK time on Saturday morningGetty This is his first fight since serving a one-year suspension with the NYSAC after beating Devin HaneyGetty The findings came after the American boxer had defeated his bitter rival Devin Haney in a remarkable upset, and the result was subsequently ruled a no-contest. He tested positive for the banned PED ostarine in two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drugs tests taken on the day before and on the day of his Haney win. ‘King Ryan’ was also stripped of his boxing license until April this year, and lost over $1 million in winnings from the bout. However, he is now set for his return to the squared circle in what has the potential to be boxing’s biggest event of the year. “What he has done to turn that around is quite incredible,” British sports promoter Hearn, who is in New York to assist Ring Magazine with Garcia’s fight, told The Stomping Ground. “Because I thought something terrible was going to happen to him.” On Friday night, New York City will close down one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, Times Square, for Garcia’s welterweight bout with Rolly Romero. The card also features two other huge young stars in the boxing world, as Haney faces Jose Ramirez and Teofimo Lopez boxes Arnold Barboza Jr. Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson has even confirmed his attendance. Concerns were raised about Garcia’s mental health in the build-up to his fight with Haney, because the 26-year-old Californian bombarded his social media followers with strange online posts. Hearn said Garcia’s turnaround is ‘quite incredible’ ahead of the huge night in boxingGetty Haney faces Jose Ramirez in a welterweight bout on the stacked cardGetty Teofimo Lopez puts his WBO junior welterweight title on the line against Arnold Barboza JrGetty Many had written him off, including Hearn, even before he had stepped into the ring. “I wasn’t sure he’d ever fight again,” Hearn added. “He should be very proud of the way he turned it around. “He messed up, fair play, that can happen, but he’s back and I’m looking forward to seeing him fight, because he’s an asset to the sport. “Let’s be honest. He’s a poster boy, great looking kid, great fighter, and great to see him back.” The World Boxing Association (WBA) confirmed last week that Garcia’s fight with Romero will be for its secondary strap. The sanctioning body has two championships: a ‘regular’ and a ‘super’ titleholder. Ryan Garcia's last five fights (24-1) Upcoming – Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in New York, May 2025 NC – Devin Haney in Brooklyn, April 2024 Win – Oscar Duarte in Houston, December 2023 via eighth-round KO Loss – Gervona ‘Tank’ Davis in Las Vegas, April 2023 via seventh-round KO Win – Javier Fortuna in Los Angeles, July 2022 via sixth-round KO Garcia could find himself matched up against Conor Benn down the lineGetty Garcia is likely to settle his feud with Haney once and for all if both men come out victorious at Times Square. However, the American has also teased a potential bout with Conor Benn down the line. “I wouldn’t mind fighting Conor Benn, that would be a lovely fight for me. Obviously he had a war with Chris Eubank [Jr],” Garcia said. “I don’t know if they’re gonna do a rematch but if that makes sense to my team and everybody else, let’s run it. We can do it.” Benn agreed: “I believe [Garcia’s] campaigning at 147 [lbs]. He’s got the WBA title fight if he wins this fight. “No problem, I’d happily fight him for the WBA world title for sure, there’s options.” Benn is weighing up his boxing future after suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Eubank Jr in an all-time British spectacle this month.
Eddie Hearn believes Ryan Garcia ‘should be very proud’ of his return to the ring.
Garcia was suspended for one year by the New York Athletic Commission (NYSAC) in June 2024 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
The findings came after the American boxer had defeated his bitter rival Devin Haney in a remarkable upset, and the result was subsequently ruled a no-contest.
He tested positive for the banned PED ostarine in two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drugs tests taken on the day before and on the day of his Haney win.
‘King Ryan’ was also stripped of his boxing license until April this year, and lost over $1 million in winnings from the bout.
However, he is now set for his return to the squared circle in what has the potential to be boxing’s biggest event of the year.
“What he has done to turn that around is quite incredible,” British sports promoter Hearn, who is in New York to assist Ring Magazine with Garcia’s fight, told The Stomping Ground.
“Because I thought something terrible was going to happen to him.”
On Friday night, New York City will close down one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, Times Square, for Garcia’s welterweight bout with Rolly Romero.
The card also features two other huge young stars in the boxing world, as Haney faces Jose Ramirez and Teofimo Lopez boxes Arnold Barboza Jr.
Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson has even confirmed his attendance.
Concerns were raised about Garcia’s mental health in the build-up to his fight with Haney, because the 26-year-old Californian bombarded his social media followers with strange online posts.
Many had written him off, including Hearn, even before he had stepped into the ring.
“I wasn’t sure he’d ever fight again,” Hearn added. “He should be very proud of the way he turned it around.
“He messed up, fair play, that can happen, but he’s back and I’m looking forward to seeing him fight, because he’s an asset to the sport.
“Let’s be honest. He’s a poster boy, great looking kid, great fighter, and great to see him back.”
The World Boxing Association (WBA) confirmed last week that Garcia’s fight with Romero will be for its secondary strap.
The sanctioning body has two championships: a ‘regular’ and a ‘super’ titleholder.
Ryan Garcia's last five fights
(24-1)
Upcoming – Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in New York, May 2025
NC – Devin Haney in Brooklyn, April 2024
Win – Oscar Duarte in Houston, December 2023 via eighth-round KO
Loss – Gervona ‘Tank’ Davis in Las Vegas, April 2023 via seventh-round KO
Win – Javier Fortuna in Los Angeles, July 2022 via sixth-round KO
Garcia is likely to settle his feud with Haney once and for all if both men come out victorious at Times Square.
However, the American has also teased a potential bout with Conor Benn down the line.
“I wouldn’t mind fighting Conor Benn, that would be a lovely fight for me. Obviously he had a war with Chris Eubank [Jr],” Garcia said.
“I don’t know if they’re gonna do a rematch but if that makes sense to my team and everybody else, let’s run it. We can do it.”
Benn agreed: “I believe [Garcia’s] campaigning at 147 [lbs]. He’s got the WBA title fight if he wins this fight.
“No problem, I’d happily fight him for the WBA world title for sure, there’s options.”
Benn is weighing up his boxing future after suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Eubank Jr in an all-time British spectacle this month.
