It was Ryan Garcia’s first public appearance since a social media storm. Unfortunately for him, it ended badly for the suspended super lightweight.
Security threw Garcia out of the Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal event after an alleged altercation with fans. Reports state that Garcia was immediately involved in verbal exchanges following his explosion on Twitter, which led to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman expelling the 25-year-old from the organization.
A video posted by journalist Fredo Cervantes from ringside shows Garcia surrounded by security at his position close to the ring. He was then forcibly removed from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Despite a denial that he got ejected, Garcia was clearly led away against his will in the video.
“I wasn’t escorted. I left. Not one hater in real life, and everyone was cool,” Garcia insisted on his usual platform after promising fans he was headed to rehab. “Because, like I said, everyone knows my heart,” he added.
The clip posted by World Boxing News doesn’t back up Garcia’s version of events as the Golden Boy fighters showed up to see his brother Sean lose via stoppage.
After an alleged altercation with fans, Ryan Garcia was thrown out of #DiazMasvidal.
Several reports state Garcia was abused and called a racist, among other names, before retaliating and being ejected by security.
🎥 @FredoCervantes pic.twitter.com/4ahEgGG5EK
— World Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) July 7, 2024
Sean, like Ryan in April, missed weight by three pounds. However, unlike his older brother against Devin Haney, he couldn’t take advantage versus Amado Vargas. The young contender from the Vargas dynasty got the job done in the sixth round and moved to 11-0 with a fifth career stoppage. Garcia dropped to 7-1-1 after a first defeat.
Vargas put Garcia down with an uppercut, but Garcia survived the round. In round five, Vargas hurt Garcia at the end of the session. It took 46 seconds of the sixth for referee Edward Collantes to have seen enough.
“It’s been a long camp. I was ready for this moment,” said Vargas in his post-fight interview. “They can say I’m the little brother, but I just kept working to let them know. We’re here. The Vargas dynasty is here to stay.
“I’ve always been unorthodox, but when I crack people, they feel it. I’m not green anymore; I’m a skillful fighter who knows how to think in the ring. All the sacrifice paid off in the ring tonight.” he added.
After his maiden loss, Garcia admitted his game plan didn’t work.
“I was just trying to get him out of there. In the end, my game plan basically went away; I was trying to cause damage,” stated Sean. “It was a good fight like I expected.
“I don’t think I gassed out, but he broke me down. It was my first time going past four rounds, so you need these sports experiences. He was the better man tonight.”
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
