Ryan Garcia ‘Agrees’ To Fight Jose Valenzuela
Ryan Garcia verbally agreed to fight Jose Valenzuela after the pair had traded words.
Garcia is currently serving a year ban following a failed test for Ostarine. This meant Garcia’s victory against Devin Haney became a no-contest, overturning the biggest win of his career. Garcia has recently returned to training. He will be allowed to box from April 2025, meaning it is vital that he keeps himself in shape. There are suggestions he could take up an exhibition before he makes his pro return.
He has said he will box Manny Pacquiao. However, there has not been any official announcement. Garcia failed to make 140 against Haney, suggesting he cannot fight at the weight class. He has now suggested a catchweight against the WBA Junior Welterweight Champion Valenzuela. The champ caused an upset, beating Isaac Cruz in his last bout. Now, the pair have agreed to box.
Garcia Vs. Valenzuela
Garcia: “We can do it in April. I don’t fight at 140, but we can do it at 147 or 154. We can meet in the middle at 144.”
Valenzuela: “I can make 144.”
Garcia: “144 would be the ideal weight for me. We’ll figure out the numbers, but I feel like we can do a big fight.”
Valenzuela: “Let’s do it. You got two Mexican fighters.”
Garcia: “You’re a champion and beat somebody [Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz] that nobody thought you could beat. I also beat somebody that people didn’t think I could beat. It would be two fighters that were underdogs coming to fight each other, and I think we’d do a big fight.”
Garcia also hit out at two of his close rivals: Haney and Shakur Stevenson. Haney has not boxed since the Garcia fight. Reports indicate he is in talks to fight IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Liam Paro. However, Haney’s brand has been damaged. Fans still felt he should have a loss on his record after suggestions the amount of Ostarine in Garcia’s system did not enhance performance.
Garcia On Shakur
Haney also received backlash for his style after he was overpowered by a fighter who was the same size as him. Meanwhile, Garcia has distanced himself from fighting Shakur. Garcia stated in his live space that he would fight Shakur next if he beat Haney and could not secure the Gervonta Davis rematch. Neither of those things have happened, as Garcia does not see any value in fighting Stevenson.
“You don’t bring no money to the table. So why would anybody want to see you? You’re not like that, bro. We watch all of your fights, and you run, and you run, and you run. You almost lost to Edwin De Los Santos [last November] and didn’t even throw one punch. Tim Bradley is [glazing] you every chance he can get. You are a bum, bro,” Garcia stated
Garcia may not have the world titles, but his commercial value still makes him the A-side in most fights. That leverage will help him secure the big fights.
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