Ryan Garcia is now in Canelo Alvarez.
Until recently, it appeared that Garcia was being groomed for greatness by Alvarez, the four-division boxing champion that had previously served as a mentor to the 23-year-old. Garcia split with Alvarez, coach Eddy Reynoso, and began training with Joe Goossen last February.
The relationship between Garcia and Alvarez has been frosty since and he was asked about his reasons for changing camps during an appearance on The MMA Hour ahead of his fight with Emmanuel Tagoe this Saturday.
“It was time to move forward,” Garcia stated. “There wasn’t much left in the camp, it was time to move on. I am now going to do my own thing and do great things. It was just an ending to a relationship .”
“Everything in life plays out how it’s gonna play out and I feel great. If I felt terrible, I’d say it. But I feel incredible .”
Garcia has spoken publicly about dealing the mental health issues that caused him to withdraw from a pivotal bout against Javier Fortuna last July that would have decided a No. 1 contender for the WBC lightweight title. The decision also resulted in the undefeated Garcia being stripped of an interim belt.
A hand injury forced Garcia out of a subsequent bout against Joseph Diaz in November, prompting Alvarez to question Garcia’s work ethic in an interview. Garcia isn’t bothered by the criticisms and says that his training has not changed in any way.
“No, I know that I’m insane, I’m a maniac from how I work and how I’ve always worked throughout my whole career,” Garcia said. I didn’t feel any of it. He knew exactly what I was feeling so it was kind of surprising. That’s why I took a break and made sure that I got myself in order.
“It was nothing to do my work ethic. You’ll see April 9, just how hard I work. You’ve seen my body, you’ve seen how I fight, you don’t get like that by not working hard, that’s for sure.”
Garcia still isn’t sure why Alvarez made his comments when he was aware that Garcia was taking time off for mental health reasons.
“I was more confused and shocked because I know he’s not oblivious and he understands a lot of things,” Garcia said. “So I didn’t quite understand why he would say that, but I don’t really care anymore.”
Now with Goossen — a member of the California Boxing Hall of Fame who has worked with the likes of Shane Mosley, Riddick Bowe, Joel Casamayor, and Diego Corrales among others — Garcia feels like he’s going back to his roots as he gears up for his first fight in 13 months.
“Goossen, me and him worked together before when I was 17 and when I remembered that I was like, you know what, we had a great relationship and he has an old soul too himself,” Garcia said. He’s like an older school trainer, and that gives the gym a nostalgic feel. It’s old music that I enjoy and Sugar Ray Robinson is my favorite. Once we began working again, it felt right and I feel like we are back where I was supposed to be.
” Our communication is incredible, both inside and outside of the ring. It’s our chemistry. It will all work out. This is going to be a great relationship. There will be many wonderful moments .
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