Ryan Garcia needs help and boxing chiefs must call off Devin Haney fight

08 March 2024 , 10:49

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Ryan Garcia has caused concern with recent social media posts (Image: Getty Images)

I am not alone in expressing concern for Ryan Garcia. Given his erratic behaviour, his disturbing social media posts and prior mental health issues, I believe he should step down from his April date with Devin Haney.

It is a huge promotion and a significant fight in the careers of both but some things are more important than winning and losing in the ring. The sport has a duty to protect Garcia from himself. It looks to me that he is in a dangerous place. We have to rise above money and belts.

To me he is not fit to fight. He needs to go into respite not camp. He needs help and it starts with his sport. The organisers must stand up and show some humanity. The broadcasters and the promoters have to act because a failure to do so could be catastrophic.

Sadly, his own promoters, Golden Boy, do not appear to be on that page. Oscar de la Hoya has said his charge has entered camp and will be ready to go. I disagree.

Mental health is no longer a matter of shame and is taken seriously in other major sports. Whatever is going on in his life it has put him over the edge.

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Believe me, I recognise the signs of a troubled soul. I learned from tragic personal experience how quickly things can unravel. My brother Dermott went downhill very quickly when his mental health began to deteriorate. Things spiralled out of control and he was gone within 18 months, took his own life. That was 29 years ago. You never think that could happen to someone you love, but it does.

I look at Garcia and I see red lines. He needs care and attention - not boxing. He is weak and vulnerable. Does Haney want to beat a fighter in that condition? Of course he doesn’t. If anything happened to that kid in the fight, it is on those with the power to stop it now.

'Garcia needs care and attention - not boxing' (Getty Images)

Getting in shape to fight is a stressful business. It takes everything out of you, morning noon and night. The pain and stress is enormous.

If boxing stands by and lets this fight happen it will bring shame on all involved in the sport. Boxers pay a percentage of their purses to the sanctioning organisations. It is incumbent upon them to act in the fighter’s best interests, even if he doesn’t.

The last thing a referee says to a fighter is ‘protect yourself at all times’. I don’t see how Garcia can in his present state.

Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @mcguigans_gym

Barry McGuigan