Boxing
Ryan Garcia's dad says Mario Barrios camp is better than it was for Rolly Romero fight
Barrios vs Garcia only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Ryan Garcia didn't have the greatest two years of his fighting career. "King Ry" had beaten Devin Haney in April 2024. But the world was crumbling in front of him during the lead-up and the aftermath. Garcia admitted he was drinking and doing drugs during training camp. Even though he dominated Haney, dropping him three times to get the decision, it was revealed after the fight that Garcia failed a drug test, and the result got switched.
Garcia received a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission. The 27-year-old returned in May and looked like a shell of himself. He got dropped in round two and was sluggish throughout. Admittedly, Garcia said his body wasn't right due to everything that went on in 2024, and going into the Romero camp, where he almost pulled out but only stayed through because of the money.
BUY NOW: Barrios vs. Garcia PPV for $69.99 / £24.99 or via DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPVs included in our subscription
Has Garcia turned the corner heading into Saturday night's WBC welterweight title challenge of Mario Barrios, live and exclusively on DAZN PPV? Garcia looks the part, and his father and once again head trainer, Henry, feels and sees the difference in his son.
"Last year was brutal because of the suspension he had," Henry told DAZN. "The mental breakdown he might have had because of that, knowing that he was innocent."
Watching a son crumbling in every way in front of the world is nothing a parent wants to endure. Henry made sure he was there every step of the way as any good father would.
"We were there for him as parents," Henry said. " As a father, I stayed with him and tell him why I'm here if you need me."
Thankfully, Henry believes Ryan has turned the corner, as evidenced by the preparation in this camp for Barrios.
"But, he went through a lot," Henry admitted. "Going into that fight with Rolando Romero, he wasn't like this."
The Ring3 fight nights, 1 unmissable weekend - only on DAZN
Watch three amazing fights this weekend - Feb 21-22 - exclusively on DAZN. It's Barrios vs. Garcia for the WBC welterweight title on PPV, with Wood vs. Warrington II, and Shields vs. Crews-Dezurn II on DAZN subscription. Get all three all included with DAZN Ultimate Tier.
For more information, pricing, and to watch, click here.
