Claressa Shields isn’t a fan of Ryan Garcia’s antics over the last year, despite a sudden change in the controversial star’s demeanor.
Ryan Garcia is known to ruffle many feathers in the boxing world, stemming from numerous controversies he’d found himself in over the last year. Ahead of his professional boxing return against Rolando Romero in New York City, a prominent star made her stance known on Garcia and his antics.
Garcia and Romero co-headline an upcoming card on May 2nd in Times Square, along with the return of Devin Haney against Jose Ramirez. It marks Garcia’s first professional bout since a win over Haney last April was overturned to a ‘no contest’ after Garcia tested positive for a performance enhancer.
While Garcia recently admitted his transgressions and his efforts to rehabilitate his image, Claressa Shields isn’t buying what Garcia is selling.
Claressa Shields goes scorched earth on Ryan Garcia
During a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, Shields was asked for her prediction for the upcoming Garcia vs. Romero fight, and went on a wild rant about Garcia’s character.
“Ryan’s a drug cheat, and he knows he cheated,” Shields said. “And the world keeps saying ‘Oh, Devin didn’t get out of the way of a hook.’ He got hit with a steroid hook. I don’t know why you guys keep putting that word off. It’s like, it wasn’t just a hook. It was a steroid hook.
“Ryan is disrespectful, man. He’s a disrespectful kid. And I think everybody is giving him a pass now, he’s doing better, he went to rehab or whatever… That stuff is in him, and that’s his character. He doesn’t get a pass from me…I’m hoping that Rolly catches Ryan and puts his d— lights out.” (h/t Sports Illustrated)
Garcia was banned from the WBC last year for his repeated use of racial slurs during a bizarre social media attack on African Americans and Muslims. As of this writing, WBC has no plans to reconsider Garcia’s expulsion, even if Garcia and his team appeal.
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While the 26-year-old Garcia is undoubtedly one of the greatest young talents in boxing, his success in the ring has come despite several speed bumps outside of it. A dominant performance against Romero in May could be the first in a series of necessary steps by Garcia to repair his relationship with fans, fellow boxers, and promoters.
Before the no-contest against Haney, Garcia knocked out Oscar Duarte in Dec. 2023, rebounding from his first-career loss to Gervonta Davis earlier that year. He’s won 24 of his 26 professional fights overall, turning pro at 17 years old.
It appears Shields will never forgive Garcia for his various controversies outside of the ring as he prepares for his return next month. In the meantime, Garcia is still perceived in the eyes of many top boxing stars as a tragic case of a star athlete’s steep descent from fame and fortune.