The Tragic Fall of Ryan Garcia
In the world of boxing, few stories have been as disheartening as the ongoing fall from grace of Ryan Garcia. This young fighter’s promising career has been marred by countless controversies and his recent arrest for felony vandalism has left many questioning his mental and physical state.
Kosport Magazine spoke with Bill Haney, the father, manager, and trainer of Ryan’s former opponent and WBC 140-pound champion, Devin Haney. He expressed his concern and shock over the events surrounding Garcia’s recent arrest, stating, “We need to help the fighters. We need to address this.”
Haney, who has been vocal about the issue of doping in boxing, also pointed out Garcia’s history of admitting to using performance-enhancing substances. “Ryan Garcia has consistently said he’s on something. We’ve got to believe him now, right?” Haney asserted.
The chaotic lead-up to Garcia’s fight with Haney in April raised red flags for many in the boxing world, including Garcia’s failure to make weight and his subsequent confession of using Ostarine, a banned substance. Despite knocking down the champion three times and winning by majority decision, Garcia’s positive drug test results have cast doubt on his victory. And now, with the confirmation of his “B” samples, he awaits serious consequences from the New York State Athletic Commission.
But it’s not just Garcia’s doping scandal that has Haney concerned. The former boxer turned manager points out the lack of support and guidance from his own team. And with news of his mother’s battle with cancer and his recent arrest, one has to wonder if Garcia is receiving the proper care and support he needs.
In a statement from Garcia’s attorney, it was revealed that the young fighter has struggled with mental health issues in the past and is currently dealing with an “intense emotional burden.” This raises questions about the responsibility of promoters, who often put their fighters’ well-being and safety at risk for the sake of profit.
Haney also called out Garcia’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, and its streaming partner, DAZN, for allegedly not paying Garcia his promised pay-per-view portion of his purse. This was echoed by Devin Haney, who also claims to have not received his full payment. But instead of addressing these concerns, Golden Boy released a public statement asking the fighters to settle their issues internally, and within hours, news broke of Garcia’s arrest.
Haney makes it clear that he wants more involvement from promoters, sanctioning bodies, and even the formation of an international body to enforce year-round drug testing and provide better medical and dental coverage for boxers.
“Parents need to know this truth before sending their kids to this sport,” Haney emphasizes. “It’s a corrupt business. Stay away from it.”
As for his own son, Devin Haney, who is nearing the peak of his career and is set to receive the manager of the year award from the Boxing Writers Assn. of America, Bill Haney is determined to do things differently. He has negotiated fight-by-fight contracts with promoters and maintains independence to avoid being trapped in the same hazardous loopholes that have plagued Garcia’s career.
But for now, as the boxing world awaits Garcia’s fate, Haney’s message is clear: “I’m putting my foot down as a man, and as a father.”
Kosport Magazine’s Take
The tragic fall of Ryan Garcia is a stark reminder of the pitfalls of the boxing industry. From the lack of proper support for fighters to the rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs, it’s clear that changes need to be made to protect the well-being and safety of these athletes.
As the sport continues to evolve and new promoters enter the scene, it’s important for all involved to prioritize the needs of the fighters, rather than their own bottom line. Let’s hope that with the involvement of influential figures like His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the future of boxing will be brighter and more fair for its athletes.
