WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) and former two-time world champion Javier Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs) were to have faced off in a July 9 clash on DAZN, however, Garcia announced to his 8.6 million followers today that he is withdrawing from the fight.
Ryan Garcia: I know this news may be disappointing to some of my fans but I am announcing today that I am withdrawing from my July 9th fight. At this time it is important to manage my health and wellbeing. I have decided to take some time off to focus on becoming a stronger version of myself. I hope to be back soon and am looking forward to stepping back into the ring when I am my healthiest self. I want to Thank God, my family, my doctors and my supporters.
Javier Fortuna: “I wish Ryan Garcia a speedy recovery. There are things more important than fighting and I hope he is able to quickly recover. We can reschedule our fight for a time when I can face and beat a 100% prepared version of Ryan Garcia.”
Fortuna says he’s not sure yet if he’ll be facing a different opponent next.
Much appreciation to Garcia for being intelligent enough and having the courage to withdraw from the scheduled fight in order to tend to what he needed to do. Great commendations to Fortuna for respecting Ryan Garcia’s decision and for the kind words he offered.
Agree with you 100%…hope Kingry takes care of himself and is able to return better than ever. And much respect for Fortuna for his words of support and encouragement towards Kingry.
You wouldnt have appreciation if you spent time and effort putting this fight together.
Usually fighters fight through outside distractions and fight through. Thats a part of performing as a high level professional. He wouldnt be the first or ten-thousandth fighter to fight through mental adversity. And as Tyson says, everyone is scared and have doubts. Fighters act like a fighter and fight on anyway. I had depression sap a lot out of me but fighting is all I had and was the best outlet to stir those negative energies.
Garcia actually sat down and watched footage on a very capable Fortuna and slid into anxiety is what has happened. Cant trust Garcia to make the Paq or Tank fights. He’s a risk to feel nervous and pullout.
He has a mental health problem called depression, that is why he aint fighting fortuna!!
Tyson fury has depression and he fights. Mike Tyson had mental issues and fought. This fight is happening in July. He’s SCARED!!
Ryan is a spoiled little brat bit** who’s head has gotten way too big by his silly little followers of his social media accounts. I’m no big fan of his promoter mr fish nets but they got him started and invested into him when he was a nobody just like that other ingrate 135lb champion who twerks after his fights (Lopez)
Bunch of overpaid spoiled rotten bit****. To think that true champions like Duran and Whittaker once ruled this same division with an iron fist and now this bullshit makes me want to puke at the state of boxing these days, no wonder UFC has all but taken over!
He’s unreliable… Even if he signed up to fight Tank or Manny we can see he’d simply pull out. His fight is in July and he wants to pull out now. He’s SCARED!! Mark my words, he will continue to fight these cherry picked fights and will get stopped by an unsuspecting fighter.
I am not sure what to make of this, but whatever it is, I hope Kingry makes a recovery.
As for Fortuna, I am not sure what is next for him. I hope they find a “stay busy” replacement opponent for him. However, I do not mind seeing Fortuna vs. Isaac Cruz in a “stay in hell” type fight. Otherwise, Fortuna will have to wait for Kingry.
I guess Campbell really destroyed his mind. I wish him well.
“I guess Campbell really destroyed his mind.” A bit presumptuous and simplistic.
Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, Duran or any other real fighter would ever pull out of a fight. But these days we have over payed primadonnas who can’t step up and fight the best of the best! Ryan Garcia has a net worth of ten million while Teo has 2.5. #primadonnamillennials
@Arturo- True that! Can you imagine Duran pulling out of a fight because he’s depressed? Hells no! On the same token, I know the depression and mental illnes are legit and can rock your world, but what outlet is better than boxing? Idle hands are the devils workshop! I’m not in his shoes and really have no idea what he’s dealing with, I hope he gets the help he needs. In all seriousness, It can’t be easy being a 21 year old millionaire with the world in the palm of your hands. A lot of people arent built to handle that kind of success
No but Duran can pull out in the middle of a fight.
@ Tim – Touche’
@Tim- Haha! You got me! Touche’
I am not sure what to make of this, but whatever it is, I hope Kingry makes a recovery.
As for Fortuna, I am not sure what is next. I hope they can find a “stay busy” opponent. However, I do not mind seeing Fortuna vs. Isaac Cruz in a “stay in hell” fight. Otherwise, Fortuna will have to wait for Kingry.
Yes, I am shocked to have read this ……
good that he did this months out. not days or weeks
He did NOT provide a credible reason.
Last month, Garcia posted on social media that he was having mental health struggles.
“I still struggle everyday with anxiety and depression at times because of my anxiety,” Garcia wrote. “I’m here to tell you it’s still possible to reach your dreams. There is ways to cope, I know I look like someone who is happy all the time but inside I hurt at times struggling just to function but I choose to keep moving forward. I love you guys keep going.”
Garcia wasn’t ready for top guys @135…. the mental health problems were an excuse not to fight imo.
COWARD!!!! The fight wasn’t even until July. He’d be over the depression by then. Get in the gym and train and overcome it like a true champion, not the manufactured “champion” you are. If he really does have mental health issues, he’s going to be dealing with it his entire life. No point in letting it get in the way, how many times will he use this as an excuse moving forward? Fortuna was going to smash him and he knows it.
Berserker, you’re always shooting out insults to all fighters. I wonder how many fights do you have under your belt that makes you feel like you’re above them.
Fought in the amateurs for 12 years, injuries and unforeseen life issues prevented me from going pro. As fans, we have the right to criticize any athlete, regardless of if we have performed in their sport.
You’re not criticizing, you’re insulting.
Nothing I said was insulting, it was actually pretty factual. I never liked the kid to begin with, so what does it matter?
Calling someone a coward isn’t an insult? I’ll move on, otherwise it will just keep going.
I hope Ryan can get things sorted out, he has a bright future if he can stay on a straight path and not let success get the better of him and self destruct.
I also worry that he will end up doing like his promoter and dress up in women undergarments like fishnets and lingerie. I know I’ll get hate responses defending that behavior which only tells me that dressing in drag is more prevalent than maybe I’m aware of. I’m not judging I’m only stating facts that it’s a sick and demented world out there. I wish the best for Ryan
SCARED!! Now I know he doesn’t have “IT”
So he pulled out. It happens. Hes not the first to do it nor will he be the last. Give the kid a break people. Sheesh. Itz not like him pulling out has hurt any of us.. we really dont know the whole story and yes, it does take a big pair to admit it was mental health. Something that will no doubt follow him for life.
Get well Kingry, and hope to see u again soon
They don’t make em like they used to. That said Ryan knows best what he is dealing with. If he recognizes that he is doing too much and has to focus on “himself” first, then that’s better than being unprepared in a unforgiving sport and taking a “L”.
It’s o.k. If he takes some months off at his age he’ll be fine.
Mental health takes its toll on people and is something we shouldn’t make fun of. Wish him the best and a steady come back from the illness.
Depression is a mother. When I read his statement I figured either mental problems or an addiction. If true, I hope he beats those demons and come back from this. With that said, this kid time and time again has cussed is way out of his fights. It’s hard to think that this isn’t another tantrum without “fuck” in his statements.
It sounds like he is going through some psychological issues.