In the world of boxing, the anticipation for a showdown can sometimes reach fever pitch, and that's exactly what's happening with Ryan Garcia. Recently, he received an invitation for a catchweight bout that has reportedly been in the making for nearly three years. This comes despite ongoing buzz about his upcoming fight against Mario Barrios, set for February.
Garcia, at 27 years old, last faced off against Rolando Romero, the reigning WBA world welterweight champion, where he suffered a unanimous decision defeat in May. This match marked Garcia's return from a year-long suspension imposed by the New York State Athletic Commission due to a positive test for ostarine, a performance-enhancing substance.
His performance against Romero was underwhelming; he was knocked down in the second round and struggled to regain momentum as the fight progressed. This was a stark contrast to his earlier bout with Devin Haney, where he managed to put Haney on the canvas three times and initially secured a majority decision victory in April 2024. However, that win was later changed to a no contest following his doping violation.
Despite not having a win since his stoppage of Oscar Duarte in 2023, there are expectations that Garcia will soon vie for a world title shot against Barrios, who holds the WBC welterweight championship, possibly on February 21. But here's where it gets interesting: Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, known for his aggressive boxing style and often compared to a mini Mike Tyson, has publicly called out Garcia. Cruz recently fought to a hard-fought draw with Lamont Roach Jr., and he expressed to ESPN Knockout that Garcia has been on his radar for quite some time.
Cruz stated, "That fight has been brewing for almost three years now, and I think it would be more than attractive to all of the fans." He typically competes at 140 pounds but believes that a catchweight agreement could satisfy both fighters, suggesting that they could meet at an intermediate weight class. "Those would be points to discuss internally. I think [the fight could happen] in an intermediate category, or a [catchweight]," he added.
As things currently stand, Garcia’s focus remains on his planned encounter with Barrios in February, pending any official confirmation. However, a potential matchup against Cruz, who has garnered respect from the legendary Mike Tyson himself for his fighting tenacity, might just be on the horizon later this year. What do you think about this developing situation? Could we see this much-anticipated bout finally take shape, or will Garcia prioritize his title ambitions first? Share your thoughts below!
