Ryan Garcia is ready to end his break from the boxing ring as the rising lightweight star has agreed to a fight with Joseph Diaz Jr. The fight, scheduled for Nov. 27 in Los Angeles, was confirmed to ESPN by both fighters.
Garcia started his 2021 campaign with a thrilling win over Luke Campbell to win the WBC interim lightweight title, getting up off the canvas after a crushing shot to score a seventh-round TKO with a body shot. The win over Campbell answered many questions about Garcia, who has battled some doubt from fans over his status as a social media influencer. After the gritty performance, Garcia was set to face Javier Fortuna in a WBC-ordered bout on July 9 but withdrew to address struggles with mental health issues.
The Fortuna fight came about after Garcia talked up a fight with Gervonta Davis and was in discussions for a fight with Manny Pacquiao.
Diaz stepped in to fight Fortuna in July, the fight serving as Diaz’s first at lightweight. Diaz picked up an impressive decision win, looking healthy at the new weight.
Diaz has criticized Garcia in the past, one of many to suggest that Garcia is more hype than reality. He doubled down on those thoughts after the fight was announced.
“I’m stopping him and ending the hype train once and for all,” Diaz said. “I’m gonna take it to him. Everything I’ve been through in and out the ring will be shown that night. He’s finally in with a live dog.”
