Ryan Garcia has gathered huge amounts of attention in the sport of boxing in recent years.
‘King Ryan’ is one of the biggest names in combat sports currently, largely thanks to his huge, high-profile fights.
Garcia’s blockbuster fight with Devin Haney was one of the biggest events of 2024, as the bout was overturned to a no-contest. However, as Garcia and Haney will compete on the same card as one another in May, a rematch may be in the plans.
Garcia’s fight with Haney was not the only mega-fight that he has been involved in recently. In 2023, Garcia had a huge outing in Las Vegas that would see him taste defeat for the first time.
Ryan Garcia was defeated by Gervonta Davis in 2023 via knockout
After Garcia defeated Javier Fortuna via knockout, he would find himself paired up with knockout artist Gervonta Davis.
The two would fight on April 22nd, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Garcia went into the bout with a 23-0 record. As for Davis, he was also undefeated with 28 wins.
Davis won his previous two bouts via knockout, and he was able to make it three in a row against Garcia. In what was the first defeat of Garcia’s career, he was stopped in the fifth round.
Despite Davis saying that he was nervous prior to the bout, he was able to deliver a stinging body shot to put away his opponent.
A left hook would put Garcia down in the second round. However, five rounds later, a left hand would land on the midsection of ‘King Ryan’. Although there was a delayed reaction from ‘Tank’s’ punch, Garcia would eventually go down to a knee and would be counted out of the fight.
The win improved Davis’ record to 29-0, while Garcia was defeated for the first time.
Ryan Garcia bounced back from defeat with knockout win
Having suffered his first loss in April 2023, Garcia returned to the ring eight months later to face Oscar Duarte (26-1-1).
Garcia seemingly did not let the loss to Davis affect him in his return, as he had an impressive showing. Being ahead on the scorecards after seven completed rounds, Garcia would end the bout in the eighth round.
After several big punches landed for Garcia, a wobbled Duarte eventually fell to the canvas. Unable to beat the count, Duarte suffered defeat.
Garcia returned to winning ways thanks to the knockout. The fighter would then go on to face Haney in his next fight.