RYAN GARCIA says he saved his career by ditching alcohol and getting sober.
Garcia has been open about his struggles with depression in the past – but he caused concern for his wellbeing before fighting Devin Haney in 2024.
He was openly drinking and partying in the build-up to the bout – which he initially won on points after dropping Haney three times.
But Garcia’s career came crashing down when he failed a drug test for ostarine – known to boost muscle growth.
The American protested his innocence but accepted a one-year suspension – during which his life spiralled out of control.
“I’m a creature of habit and going into the Devin Haney fight, I don’t know why that just nothing affected me,” Garcia said.
“Like the drinking did not affect me. It was very weird. So then after that you could imagine how much cocky energy.
“I did that and I still whipped his ass. And then I thought to myself, ‘Damn, they really scammed me.’
“Like, I don’t know if it’s because the things I was talking about. All of a sudden I tested positive.
“So I went into a very dark place, then it went dark. Then I just was abusing everything.
Barrios vs Garcia – all the info
King Ry returns!
RYAN GARCIA is back in the world title fold as he faces Mario Barrios in a huge Las Vegas showpiece.
The 27-year-old star last fought in May when he was humbled by Rolly Romero in a one-sided loss in times square.
That came after his stunning win over Devin Haney that was later called a No Contest.
Garcia, one of the most followed and popular boxers around, now has a tall task in front of him as he attempts to win a first world title against El Azteca.
Barrios was far from convincing when he defended his WBC welterweight title against Manny Pacquiao – aged 46 and fighting for the first time in more than four years – with that fight ending in a draw.
Garcia comes into the fight as the favourite but the explosive superstar has not always been the most consistent.
The undercard also features some top fights with Gary Russell facing Andy Hiraoka and unbeaten Richardson Hitchins defending his IBF super-lightweight belt against Oscar Duarte.
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“I just was humbled in many ways within myself and I learned a lot of lessons like your body’s a temple.
“God gave you something you gotta protect it and definitely learned my lesson. Definitely got humbled by that.
“And I’m so happy just being sober and just clear minded fresh and showing these young fighters, don’t do that, that’s not good!
“I may have done it once but I don’t know how I did it and that cannot be replicated do not do it. God’s got a plan for everybody and it’s to be of sober mind.”
Garcia, 27, passed tests in the build-up to his fight with Haney, also 27, but failed in samples taken the day before and of the Brooklyn bout.
He returned in May in defeat to Rolly Romero, 30, where the years of abusing his body took its toll.
And Garcia believes he only rescued his career by putting down the bottle and getting sober.
“If I didn’t go through that Rolly fight, who knows if I ever would have stopped.
“But God works in ways that you cannot imagine, so I’m just grateful and, ready to show everybody the best version of myself come Saturday night.”
Garcia still wants to rematch Haney – but his rival has raised concerns over drug testing.
“He don’t want that,” Garcia said. “He’s been saying like, ‘Oh no, I don’t wanna fight him.’
“It’s like, ‘Alright, bro, you don’t wanna fight.’ F***, I ain’t gonna force you to fight, s***. Leave your ass over there. We’re not worried.
“What do I gotta do? I mean, I didn’t take no damage from that fight. He did. He had a broken jaw. He gotta get his lick back, you see my face was clean.
“So it’s all on him. If you don’t wanna, I wouldn’t wanna get back in the ring. I know it’s PTSD, so we’re gonna let him be.”
Despite not yet winning a welterweight fight, Garcia returns in his second consecutive title fight, challenging for Mario Barrios’ WBC title on Saturday.
And he does so after splitting with coach Derrick James following defeat to Romero, 30, with dad Henry assuming the role as lead trainer.
And Garcia has vowed to dedicate winning the world title to his old man.
“What it means to me in my heart is to win this title for my dad because I know how much that will mean to him more.
“I’m definitely gonna hold this proudly, I’m gonna be flexing it like all these other guys.
“They’re always like, ‘Oh, I’m four-time champion.’ Like, bro, no you’re not. You didn’t fight nobody for it.
“But for me, it’s gonna be a very huge honor to win it for my dad for sure.”