Teofimo Lopez: Garcia needs an exit

By Declan Taylor

RYAN GARCIA needs to delete social media and slash his entourage if he ever desires to avoid wasting his boxing profession.

That is the opinion of his super-lightweight rival Teofimo Lopez, who has dealt with his fair proportion of out-of-the-ring issues himself.

Garcia has now been suspended by the New York Commission for 12 months after he examined optimistic for the efficiency enhancing substance ostarine on the day earlier than and day of his victory over Devin Haney on April 20.

The results of that combat, for which he got here in 3 1/4lbs chubby, has now been modified to a no-contest, whereas the fee additionally acknowledged that Garcia must forfeit the $1m he banked for his half within the combat on the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.

The fee’s ruling provides to a tumultuous interval for Garcia, who set alarm bells ringing with a few of his actions throughout the build-up to the combat, along with his arrest on suspicion of felony vandalism at a Beverly Hills resort earlier this month.

Garcia had a 15-month hiatus from boxing following his January 2021 victory over Luke Campbell as a result of his a lot publicised psychological well being struggles, which culminated, he says, in suicidal ideas.

Now Lopez, who has confronted an analogous battle himself earlier in his profession, believes 25-year-old Garcia can solely save himself with the assistance of his household.

“I think he needs to get off social media – just get out,” Lopez instructed Boxing News. 

“Just actually get out of the entire thing. I do know he was attempting to maintain himself on a sort of celebratory tour after the largest win of his profession. But you need to finally simply exit out of it and get off the grid. He needs to let folks surprise ‘where is Ryan Garcia?’ Instead of them seeing him in all places. Then you get to search out your self.

“The folks he has round him are younger children. They are actually simply absorbing all that mild he has in him. They are taking all of it for their very own benefit. What occurs is that individuals really feel like they’re extra superior and also you get a misplaced case such as you’re seeing with Ryan Garcia.

“It’s all about who you surround yourself with. It’s not necessarily the mental stuff happening on social media, you get used to it eventually. But it’s the other part – there are people around him that he doesn’t need no more and he needs to just be on his own or be with his mother during these times. Or be with his father and really regroup with his family. Just fucking stay there man, you have kids too. Be that part.”

Lopez has additionally come beneath hearth for his feedback about Garcia’s mom, Lisa, who was just lately identified with most cancers. Lopez seemingly implied that her most cancers was a results of Garcia ‘selling his soul’. The quotes, unsurprisingly, upset Garcia, who has threatened to harm Lopez the following time the pair cross paths.

But, talking on to Garcia through Boxing News, Lopez mentioned: “I’m speaking to Ryan Garcia right here. I do know you wish to combat me whenever you see me in particular person. That’s positive. I didn’t imply no dangerous in the direction of your mom in that essence. If you actually look into it, I did say I actually do want your mum nothing however well being. Cancer shouldn’t be one thing to play with.

“But persons are going to say what they’re going to say and let you know particularly that a part of it and never speak in regards to the good that I meant. But to every his personal. If you wish to duke it out outdoors the ring, I’ve received to defend myself, brother. So you’ve received to be the silly man to throw first, I’ve received to defend myself. I gained’t be the man to punch you, that’s not how we do issues round right here. My combating is within the ring and I’ve at all times been expressive on that. 

“Don’t focus on outside noise. Focus on the things in your life that really matter. Because all that money doesn’t come with you – it’s going to go. I don’t even mean you harm, brother. You can say I’m a liar but I don’t lie. Wishing you nothing but the best, again.”