Ryan Garcia Fights Back: Denounces Misleading Clip, Defends His Faith Amid Mental Health Speculations
Ryan Garcia, the rising star in the boxing world, has taken a stand against the misrepresentation of a viral video showing him in tears during a TikTok Live session. In a fiery response to renowned journalist Michael Benson, Garcia clarified that his emotional moment was not due to mental health struggles but rather stemmed from his devotion to God.
The controversy erupted when Benson posted a truncated clip of Garcia crying, insinuating that it was a manifestation of mental instability. However, Garcia vehemently refuted this portrayal, emphasizing that he was expressing his love for God and connecting with his community during the TikTok Live session.
Expressing his disappointment with Benson’s misleading portrayal, Garcia called out the journalist for sensationalizing the moment for “clicks and views.” In a tweet, Garcia asserted his faith and condemned the misrepresentation of his beliefs, labeling it as “distasteful and disrespectful.”
Despite the growing concerns surrounding Garcia’s mental well-being, fueled by his unconventional social media behavior, his promoter Oscar De La Hoya has stood by him. De La Hoya dismissed the speculations as mere trolling and affirmed Garcia’s dedication to his training regimen.
He wrote, “Praise Jesus, those who know the Holy Spirit will make a grown man cry. You shortened the video I was worshipping God on my TikTok live with my community.”
However, the controversy has not escaped the attention of Mauricio Sulaiman, the WBC President, who initiated discussions with the New York State Athletic Commission regarding a mental health assessment for Garcia. Despite this, Garcia appeared defiant during an Instagram Live session, rejecting the need for evaluation.
He added, “I love God and you titled this as if I was crying due to mental instability. I find it distasteful, and disrespectful to my beliefs. But again get your clicks and views. See you 4/20.”
As Garcia gears up for his highly anticipated bout with Devin Haney at Barclays Center on April 20, the question looms: Is he in the right mindset to face his opponent? With opinions divided on Garcia’s mental state, the boxing world eagerly awaits the outcome of this showdown.
“Ryan Garcia… He’s in great spirits. He’s working his a** off in the gym. Don’t mind the posts. That takes like five, 10 seconds of his time. He’s working hard every single minute of the day,” De La Hoya told Chris Mannix.
