Ryan Garcia next fight: October return planned

Ryan Garcia said in a social media post that was probably mostly a plug for some type gym apparel that he will be “back in October,” which would make for about a nine-month absence from the ring.

The 22-year-old Garcia (21-0, 18 KO) last fought on Jan. 2 in Texas, coming off the canvas in round two to drop and stop Luke Campbell in the seventh round. He had been scheduled to fight in July against Javier Fortuna, but withdrew citing mental health reasons. Joseph Diaz Jr took that fight, won, and has been a rumored next opponent for Garcia.

Diaz (32-1-1, 15 KO) could also face WBC lightweight titleholder Devin Haney, as Diaz holds the WBC interim title thanks to his win over Fortuna. Garcia won the interim belt in January, but vacated it, or is perhaps interim champion-in-recess, if there is such a thing, and why not? The WBC just make this stuff up as they go, especially at 135 lbs where they want to please various young fighters who make large purses for their bouts, including “franchise champion” Teofimo Lopez.

All in all, a nine-month break from the ring isn’t really all that long; I mean it is, I guess, but it isn’t, it’s not nineteen-dickety-four anymore and people don’t fight every month, a nine-month absence isn’t particularly unusual for money-maker fighters.

Hopefully, we do see him back around that time, because he’s an exciting young fighter who generates a lot of interest one way or the other.