Ryan Garcia has been talking for a few weeks about having anxiety and depression.
It appears he was struggling with being so famous at such an early age and it has gotten the best of him. He wrote on his IG that he is stepping away from boxing for a while.
I know this news may be disappointing to some of my fans but I am announcing today that I am withdrawing from my July 9th fight. At this time it is important to manage my health and wellbeing. I have decided to take some time off to focus on becoming a stronger version of myself.
When his promoter Oscar De La Hoya was reached for comment he said he was just seeing the social media post like everyone else.
Garcia’s opponent Javier Fortuna’s promoter is not happy. Here is what he told Dan Rafael.
Fortuna promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told Fight Freaks Unite that Golden Boy president Eric Gomez told him Garcia was having mental health issues and that is why he withdrew from the bout.
“Eric called me this morning and said (Garcia) has mental health issues and that he decided not fight,” Lewkowicz said. “I have a signed contract but what do I do with a signed contract? The only thing I need is a solution. Maybe he changed his mind about fighting Fortuna. Whatever it is I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Who knows what this means for Garcia’s future, but I do hope he gets his mental health in a healthier place going forward.
Flip the page for his full Instagram post.