Hopkins: Ryan Garcia Needs A Respectable Tune-Up

Bernard Hopkins wants Ryan Garcia to have a respectable tune-up on his comeback fight. 

Garcia is currently serving a year ban after failing VADA tests for Ostarine, meaning he cannot box until April 2025. The ban came following his failed tests after the Devin Haney victory, as the result became a no-contest. Garcia denied taking any substances intentionally, but strict liability meant that he was subsequently handed a ban. He is now preparing for his comeback as the fighter recently returned to training. His promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, has suggested that a Devin Haney fight is out of the question for a comeback fight immediately. 

Garcia’s Options

He has instead suggested the idea of facing the WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Teofimo Lopez. But Hopkins wants him to have a tune-up fight that would be respectable. There are numerous possible fights Garcia could take at 140 pounds or in around that weight class. Jack Catterall is coming off a victory against Regis Prograis, beating him by a unanimous decision.

That was a second consecutive victory over a big-name fighter after having beaten the former Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion Josh Taylor in the fight before. Catterall is targeting a world title shot next year. A win over Garcia would take him a step closer and earn him the biggest purse of his career.

There is also the opportunity to face the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Liam Paro. Liam defeated Subriel Matias in his last fight to secure the belt and cause a massive upset. Reports indicated that he was in talks to fight Devin Haney. However, Paro claimed that Haney priced himself out, leaving the door open for Garcia. That would require Paro to move up to 143 pounds or a similar catchweight since Garcia cannot make 140. 

There is also the opportunity to face Richardson Hitchens, who boxes Paro in December. Hitchens is 18-0 with seven knockouts to his name. His biggest win was against Jose Zepeda, whom he defeated last year. Paro is the favorite. But even if Richardson comes through that fight, Garcia would have the opportunity to face a fresh champion. Nevertheless, these fighters are not big names in the United States.

Hopkins Reacts

Garcia is looking for the biggest fights. There are future fights against Errol Spence Jr., Sebastian Fundora, or the Haney rematch. However, given that Garcia will be out for a year, it is vital that he takes the right fights at the right time. He will likely suffer from ring rust since he did not look his best in the Haney fight, even if he did come out victorious before the failed tests. That has left Garcia with plenty to consider as Hopkins had his say.