Ryan Garcia is fresh out of an impressive victory over Devin Haney but that has not stopped him from thinking about his next fight. He is already calling out boxers trying to set up his next fight. Let’s take a look at who could Ryan Garcia enter the boxing ring against next.
It has barely been over a day since Garcia inflicted Haney’s first loss of his career and the California native already seems like he has a plethora of options laid out in front of him. He got into an altercation with Conor Benn soon after his win.
‼️ Ryan Garcia welcoming a call-out from Conor Benn today to fight him in the UK next… pic.twitter.com/PZrXsxMEta
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 21, 2024
Benn congratulated Garcia on his win over Haney on X and wrote that he would fight any of the two boxers. Garcia responded brutally, “Let’s run it in London at the 02. I will fracture your SPLEIN [Spleen] and then eat it. Shoutout London.”
Benn tested positive for banned substances in 2022 and came back to the ring in September 2023 after over 500 days away. He is a 23-0 undefeated fighter primarily in the welterweight category. Garcia, who has fought primarily in lightweight and super featherweight, might be looking at a move to welterweight.
Ryan Garcia had a “vision” to fight Sebastian Fundora at 154 lbs
Garcia and his father have admitted that he might not be able to make the 140 lbs limit. Therefore, he is hoping to fight the big names in higher-weight classes. WBC and WBO light middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora is one of those big names.
“I had a vision to fight [Sebastian] Fundora at 154 [pounds],” Garcia said, according to MMA Fighting. “I don’t know why, I just feel I could knock him out. I know that’s really, really random. I just feel like I could get the title at 154.”
Ryan Garcia has declared that he wants to move up to welterweight, but has also named WBC & WBO super-welterweight world champion Sebastian Fundora as a potential opponent he’d like to fight next.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 21, 2024
Garcia‘s father even named Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz as an option. He said, according to AS, “Let’s go for the Pitbull Cruz. Let’s go get him, nothing happens. If Ryan wants to do it, he can do it, but he told me he feels like he’s a welterweight, or maybe even a 154, so it could be fighting (Sebastian) Fundora.”
Cruz, a WBA super lightweight champion, predicted a Haney win over Garcia. After proving his prediction wrong, can Garcia go for his title as well?
Shakur Stevenson asked Ryan Garcia to keep his word and make their fight happen
Another option for Ryan Garcia is another undefeated fighter, Shakur Stevenson. The 21-0 undefeated fighter took to X after Garcia’s win and wrote, “Much respect to @RyanGarcia I’m keeping my word and giving u your respect now keep your word and let’s make it happen my guy beautiful performance #ChasingGreatness.”
Much respect to @RyanGarcia I’m keeping my word and giving u your respect now keep your word and let’s make it happen my guy beautiful performance 🤝 #ChasingGreatness
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) April 21, 2024
Stevenson is one of the most decorated fighters and is currently the WBC Lightweight Champion. Garcia vs. Stevenson looks great in the books but it might be difficult with Garcia’s weight-cut issues. Stevenson has never fought above lightweight and Garcia claimed he cannot even hit 140 lbs which is the limit for super lightweight.
A Devin Haney rematch could be on the cards for Ryan Garcia
During their post-fight interviews, both fighters talked positively about a rematch. Although reports emerged later that Garcia ruled out a rematch, you can never be sure with KingRy. There is a possibility that the rematch does take place as the fight surely garnered a lot of interest and money.
Ryan Garcia says he will fight Jaron Boots Ennis and No to Haney Rematch 😳💥🥊 #ThrillBoxing #boxing video from @SecondsOutLive pic.twitter.com/BnjUSkUWFR
— Thrill Boxing Magazine 💥🥊 (@ThrillBoxing) April 21, 2024
Garcia, however, has several other options. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, the IBF welterweight champion, was also mentioned by Garcia recently.
He could do the unthinkable and enter the Octagon as he has talked about it multiple times. He claimed that he even texted UFC CEO Dana White about it. Moreover, he has been in a back-and-forth against Sean O’Malley and a fight between the two could break the internet.
Garcia has also had an altercation with Jake Paul. The YouTuber-turned-boxer mints millions with his fights and one against Garcia could break records.