Fans React As Ryan Garcia Returns To Derrick James – ‘Top Tier’

March 31, 2025

3 weeks

Fans React As Ryan Garcia Returns To Derrick James

Ryan Garcia will train with Derrick James for his upcoming fight against Rolando Romero.

Garcia makes his return to boxing following his year suspension after failing VADA tests for Ostarine in the aftermath of his victory against Devin Haney. The findings meant that Garcia’s win became a no-contest, as he received a year-long boxing ban that runs out in April 2025. He will face Romero on May 2, which was meant to go ahead with his trainer, Eddie Reynoso. Garcia’s father, Henry Garcia, recently announced that Ryan had returned to Reynoso, putting an end to his relationship with James.

“The coach is new. We’re back in San Diego. That’s right. It’s hard not to get along with Eddy because of the heritage. We go way back. Canelo and Ryan worked out everything. It was a misunderstanding. Everything is back to the way it was. We’re good. It was nothing against Derrick [James]. He’s a good, excellent coach. The thing is, there wasn’t anything out there in Texas as far as what happened to him [Ryan] last year wasn’t as positive as it was here. So, why go somewhere it’s negative when you can switch it around? Ryan feels safer here, it’s better here,” Henry said

Reynoso’s Workload

However, Reynoso also works with Teofimo Lopez and Canelo Alvarez. Lopez also boxes on the same card as Ryan, as he will face off against Arnold Barboza Jr. Canelo boxes a day after Garcia and Lopez, meaning that Reynoso cannot be with all three fighters at the same time. Canelo got priority, as Lopez will work with his father.

“I don’t know if we did something wrong or they are just focused on themselves. Maybe they felt that a fighter like myself who is elite, they need more time. It doesn’t make sense. Whatever the case may be. We love them. We appreciate them. This won’t be the end of our story with them. They are just in tunnel vision right now. Am I disappointed about it? Yeah, I am. I take it as competition,” Lopez stated

Meanwhile, Ryan has returned with James. It is not exactly clear if this is going to be a permanent solution. However, Ryan will return to someone who helped guide him to a knockout victory against Oscar Duarte and the Haney no-contest. Garcia is a heavy favorite against Romero, who recently lost his WBA Junior Welterweight Title against Isaac Cruz.

Although Romero bounced back with a victory against Manuel Jaimes in his last fight, he has come up short at the elite level. Romero was stopped by Gervonta Davis. If Garcia comes out with a win, as he is expected to do, there is a narrative in place to face Haney in a rematch, provided The Dream beats Jose Ramirez. Boxing fans had plenty to say about Garcia’s return to James.