Ryan Garcia downplays questions of mental state ahead of return: “I don’t do cocaine”

By Josh Evanoff - March 1, 2024

Ryan Garcia felt the need to clarify a few things ahead of his boxing return.

Ryan Garcia

‘KingRy’ recently signed a deal to face WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney on April 20th in New York. For Ryan Garcia, the fight will be the first since a knockout win over Oscar Duarte in December. It will also be his first major test, since losing to Gervonta Davis last April.

Following the defeat to ‘Tank’, Ryan Garcia famously had some struggles with his promotional team. The young boxer attempted to leave Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions but failed. The two sides recently ended the feud, mainly to focus on landing the boxing match with Haney.

Since signing the deal to face the champion in April, Ryan Garcia has seemingly been everywhere. Fans on social media have publicly wondered if ‘KingRy’ is entirely focused on his next bout, due to his erratic behavior. Even the day before his most recent press conference, Garcia was on X Spaces, publicly stating that he was high.

However, Ryan Garcia does want to make a few things clear. At the second press conference for his bout with Devin Haney, the boxer opened up on his mental state. There, Garcia stated that there wasn’t anything wrong with him, he just likes to drink and smoke weed. The young boxer doesn’t view that as a big issue.

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Oscar De La Hoya and Ryan Garcia

Ryan Garcia responds to drug accusations ahead of return to the boxing ring

“I’ve been screaming for these promos, but I’m not going to do that.” Ryan Garcia stated at yesterday’s press conference, ahead of his fight with Devin Haney. “At the end of the day, I want to clarify a few things. I want to clarify some things, I don’t do cocaine. I would do a live drug test, I drink and smoke weed. So has the majority of this room. Weed is legal bro, weed is fire.”

He continued, “Thank you. That part, you’ve finally got someone saying ‘I’m real, I’m like this, I do drink, I do smoke, now what’? Okay. Guess what, we all evolve, and we’ve all got flaws as people. I’m 25 years old, you have to remember. The weight of the world sometimes feels like it’s on my shoulders. I don’t know how many people who have been 25 years old and made a hundred million dollars in their life and can do whatever they want.”

“I want to see what you would do in my shoes.” Ryan Garcia concluded. “Probably a lot more than some weed!”

What do you make of these comments? Are you excited for Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney going down on April 20th?