Just 12 months ago, Ryan Garcia seemed to have the world firmly at his feet.
By the age of 24, he had built an undefeated professional career across 23 fights, wowing fans with his exceptional hand speed and KO power and becoming one of the sport’s most recognizable talents.
Better yet, Garcia had bucked the trend so maligned in modern prizefighting, where the very best often don’t seem to fight the very best, by agreeing to fight the great Gervonta Davis.
The clash between the two undefeated stars was an instant hit at the box office, reportedly selling more than one million pay-per-view buys while grossing $22.8 million at the gate.
Ultimately, however, Garcia would come out second in the battle of lightweight superstars.
Ryan Garcia gave up his undefeated record in a blockbuster clash with Gervonta Davis
The 25-year-old was dropped with a left hook to the body in the seventh and failed to beat the referee’s count
But Garcia returned to the win column in December to re-establish himself as a contender
Davis landed a huge left hand to the ribs in the seventh round, forcing Garcia to the canvas and he was unable to beat the referee’s ten count.
Despite giving up his undefeated record that night in Nevada, Garcia reaffirmed his ambition to ultimately retain world title gold when he returned to the ring in December with an eighth-round KO of Oscar Duarte.
Garcia then stunned fans in January with a double reveal on social media. First, he revealed that his wife Andrea Celina had given birth to his son, while mother and child were healthy.
Just an hour later, he shared a now-deleted post announcing that he and Celina were divorcing, though he insisted the split was amicable.
‘While this decision marks the end of our marriage, it is important to emphasize that our relationship as co-parents remains our top priority.” He wrote on Instagram.
“Throughout our years together, Dea has been an incredible partner and an even more special mother to our two children. I am deeply grateful for the years we shared and for her unwavering dedication to our family.”
In January, he announced in a social media post that his wife Andrea Celina had given birth to a son
Just an hour later, Garcia announced that he and Celina were divorcing
He has since announced that he has a new girlfriend in Australian influencer and model Mikaela Testa
Amid such turmoil in his personal life, Garcia seemed to turn his attention to his craft and the following month, a blockbuster clash with Devin Haney was announced for April 20.
The pair have long been rumored to face each other in the professional ranks after splitting six amateur fights between them, with both fighters emerging victorious on three occasions.
Once again, Garcia would test his skills against the sport’s top talents, but this time with the added incentive of the WBC super lightweight title on the line.
However, since the announcement, fans have become concerned about the 25-year-old’s well-being.
Allegations of drug use began to surface as a result of Garcia’s sometimes erratic behavior online.
At a press conference about his clash with Haney, Garcia responded directly to the accusations by pointing out that his admissions are no more serious than those of his contemporaries.
“I want to clarify a few things,” Garcia said Thursday. ‘I don’t use cocaine. I drink and smoke weed, and so does the majority in this room.’
Garcia also announced his new girlfriend Mikaela Testa – an Australian influencer and model with over 400,000 followers on Instagram.
Garcia is currently scheduled to return to the ring next month to face Devin Haney
The pair fought six times in the amateur ranks, with both men scoring three victories
He also claimed he was training Mikaela in the boxing ring, calling on crossover promotion ‘Misfits’ to sign her up for a fight in a post on his social media.
Garcia then sparked widespread concern with a post on both his X and Instagram accounts showing a shaky clip of an unidentifiable individual in a home that appeared to be his.
”We’ve got it, guys. RYAN GARCIA RIP B****. 666,” it is written across the clip, “Video is exactly 666 in time. WE TOLD YOU WE WERE COMING.’ Then follows a stream of random letters.
The Instagram caption only raised more alarm as it referenced “the death of Ryan Garcia.”
The comments section was flooded with messages from concerned fans, but Ryan’s father Henry Garcia insisted the post was simply “trolling.”
“Yes, Ryan is doing well, just trolling in the wrong direction,” he wrote in response to the fan’s question about whether Garcia Jr. was doing well. ‘No, there’s more to it. Trust,” Henry added later.
However, his reassurances could not allay the fears among supporters.
The star’s ex-wife, Celina, revealed on social media that while she could have contacted Garcia after the message in question, he is not doing well.
“If all my followers are believers, would you please pray for Ryan,” she wrote on her Instagram Story.
However, fans are concerned about Garcia’s mental well-being following posts on social media
His father, Henry Garcia, also provided a small update to reassure fans that the boxer was doing well
However, his ex-wife insisted he is not doing well and begged fans to pray for him
“We’re not together and I’ve been in touch with him and he may seem fine but he’s not. I know in my heart that he is sorely oppressed.
‘This is not a troll, I am genuinely concerned, and so are all his family members. We are not part of this and want him to get better, but this IS REAL. Praying for him.”
Garcia has previously detailed his struggles with mental health, after battling intrusive thoughts during a particularly difficult episode that led to him taking a break from competition in 2021.
“When that happened to me and I couldn’t find a way out, it frustrated me,” he said DAZN.
“I just had a lot of different thoughts, suicidal thoughts. I had a hard time, but I fought through it.”
Garcia has also had a strained relationship with his promoters at Golden Boy Promotions.
In many ways, Garcia was seen as a spiritual successor to Golden Boy leader Oscar De La Hoya during his rise.
An exciting and marketable fighter with the support of both the American and Mexican audiences behind him, Garcia seemed to fit the mold that made De La Hoya such a pay-per-view superstar in the 2000s.
Garcia has also had a long-term relationship with his promoter Oscar De La Hoya
Golden Boy’s boss addressed Garcia’s struggles with mental health in a tweet late last year
Although he appeared to take Garcia under his wing at Golden Boy, De La Hoya frequently clashed with the 25-year-old in the media and even took aim at his “state of mind” in a now-deleted social media post from November.
“I have to say I am really concerned about Ryan Garcia’s state of mind,” De La Hoya wrote on X.
“Given his history of mental instability (which he himself has documented), his current erratic behavior shows that he is clearly not focused on Saturday’s fight. You’re not answering my calls Ryan, I hope you’re okay.”
Golden Boy Promotions has not yet been contacted by Mail Sport for comment on Garcia’s recent behaviour.
History is littered with examples of fighters who find top-level combat sports both lonely and overcrowded, potentially lucrative and cash-strapped, inspiring and moving.
One can only hope that Garcia gets the support he needs to fulfill his potential and continue his career while he finds peace outside the ring.
For support, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org, or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.