Ryan Garcia is set to return to the ring this July, just five months after his dominant display in Las Vegas against Mario Barrios.
After a chaotic couple of years, it seems Ryan Garcia (25-2, 20ko’s) is well and truly on track for super stardom.
‘King Ry’ became WBC welterweight world champion last month.
Dropping and dominating Mario Barrios on his way to a unanimous decision victory in Las Vegas, Garcia holds a valuable piece of the welterweight puzzle.
Just 24 months ago, this seemed a million miles away.
Garcia failed a VADA test for Ostarine in the aftermath of the Devin Haney fight, subsequently changing his victory into a no contest.
Unsurprisingly, his credibility plummeted, and Garcia was left with a 12 month suspension.
A year later, things got worse.
In his eagerly anticipated return, Garcia was comprehensively defeated by Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero (17-2, 13ko’s) in Times Square.
Now both Rolly and Haney hold welterweight world titles, the world is well and truly Garcia’s oyster.
Unification fights are certainly on the agenda, with fans desperate to see him and Haney run it back.
Sources are suggesting Haney is targeting a Rolly Romero fight with the intention to revisit his rivalry with Garcia later in the year.
Dan Rafael has reported that Ryan Garcia is likely to headline a Ring Magazine event in July.
An opponent has not been revealed.
American stars Teofimo Lopez (22-2, 13ko’s) and Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11ko’s) have both shared their willingness to move up to 147lbs.
Another fighter that has called for Garcia’s WBC welterweight title and is mandatory challenger is Conor Benn (24-1, 14ko’s).
The British star, who recently signed with ZUFFA Boxing, is fighting Regis Prograis (30-3, 24ko’s) at a 150lbs catchweight on April 11.
Whether Benn can healthily make 147lbs after his foray at middleweight is still yet to be seen.
#Boxing Notes: Hand healing, Ryan Garcia defense eyed for July; Smith-Puello deal; Anderson update; Foster-Ford in works; Miller-Pero headlines; @SampsonBoxing signings; @Zuffa_Boxing UK deal; Quick hits; Show & tell. Read/sign up for my newsletter! https://t.co/tAVKokFEK0 pic.twitter.com/6sils5nNtK
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) March 18, 2026
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