Ryan Garcia won’t be waiting much longer after his one-year suspension is lifted in April to grace the ring once again.
One day after signing a fight deal with Turki Alalshikh, owner of The Ring and head of Riyadh Season, Garcia said that he’s headed toward a 140-pound showdown against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in May, potentially in New York’s Times Square.
Garcia added that archrival Devin Haney is set to be featured on the same card against Jose Ramirez, with the plan being they both leave The Big Apple victorious for an October rematch.
“Be ready. I’m coming back sharp,” Garcia told a group of reporters on Friday while in attendance for a 360 Promotions show at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. “I'd tell [Cruz] to keep his hands up. He's small. I'm trying to give this motherf----- something [by taking the fight at 140 pounds]. I'm not that much of an a--hole.”
Surprisingly, Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) would be willing to fight the undersized Cruz at the junior welterweight limit. Garcia failed to make the weight last time out in April when he faced Haney, as he was 3.2 pounds over. He maintained that his future was fighting at 147 pounds, and even 154, in recent months.
Garcia knocked down Haney three times to score a majority decision win in their controversial clash. After the fight, however, Garcia tested positive for the performance enhancing drug ostarine and his win was overturned to a no contest.
Cruz (26-3-1), meanwhile, lost his WBA 140-pound title to Jose Valenzuela via split decision in August. He’s scheduled to fight Angel Fierro on February 1.
“It's another great fight. I’m ready to do it. Pitbull is still a great fighter. He may have lost, but fans love him,” said Garcia.
“He's a more rugged fighter. He's aggressive. He'll be fighting the full 12 rounds.
“Me and Pitbull were supposed to fight on many occasions. But it never went down. This is a fight I feel like the fans wanted for a long time until he lost. I don't think it makes a difference. He's still an explosive fighter. [Valenzuela] boxed a great fight so you can't really take anything from him, either. This should still be a great fight.
“I thought that [Cruz] was the only name I know that might do it after a one-year layoff. He has knockout punching power. It's not an easy fight. No safe routes here. I'm confident that I have enough skills to do it.”
Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for Ring Magazine. Follow him on X and Instagram.