Yesterday, Ryan Garcia took to social media to send a message to boxing fans who are patiently awaiting his return, “I’m charged up, I feel so much right now, I’m just ready to get back in the ring. Anxiety tried to kill me, f— that let’s go.”
Garcia was supposed to be seen in the ring against Javier Fortuna on July 9th in Los Angeles. However, he pulled out due to mental health reasons and has since taken that time to heal and learn to cope with emerging mental health issues like anxiety and depression. He is one of the few boxers who have been outspoken about their mental health battles and made it a point to normalize the conversation about mental health. Another boxer who has made an impact on normalizing the conversation is Tyson Fury, who has battled severe depression and was able to emerge from it.
Despite the increase of mental health issues worldwide, the stigma and fear surrounding the conversation about mental health still persist. Even in the severity of issues like depression and anxiety, the legitimacy of mental health as a reason to take time off and regroup is still not understood by some. Garcia has had to deal with haters who claim that he is using mental health as an excuse to run away from opponents. But only Garcia and those close to him are aware of his intimate struggles and the lengths he’s had to go to in order to get out from the place he was in. A recent series of pictures and videos on Garcia’s Instagram shows him in a well-conditioned state and looking sharp and ready for his return. Upon returning, Garcia has multiple options including the winner of Diaz vs. Fortuna and belt holder Devin Haney, who boxing fans are patiently waiting for. Haney vs. Garcia has the potential for being a big money fight and it’s possible that the involved promotions might want to drag it out as long as possible to create more hype. They’ve fought each other multiple times in the amateurs with both having enjoyed success against each other, and it will be interesting to see them meet again professionally.
