“Whether you win or lose, the value is there,” Henry Garcia said to MillCity Boxing when asked about the backlash.
Ryan Garcia is coming off a decision loss to Rolando Romero last May. The defeat raised questions about his position in the division and whether he should be rebuilding before moving into a title fight. Instead, Garcia is now lined up to challenge Barrios without facing any of the WBC’s top-ranked contenders at 147 pounds.
Fans have criticised that view. Many argue that title shots should be earned through wins over leading opponents, not granted based on name recognition. The criticism has been stronger given that Garcia is coming off a loss and moving into a championship fight in a new weight class.
Henry Garcia dismissed the Romero loss, saying it did not reflect how his son usually performs.
“That wasn’t my son,” Garcia said. “Fighting Duarte was Ryan. That’s the Ryan that you want, and that’s the Ryan that we have right now.”
The explanation has done little to change the reaction. While few dispute that Ryan Garcia remains one of the sport’s biggest draws, critics point out that his recent results do not align with a direct title opportunity. Some have also noted that Barrios is viewed by many as the most beatable of the current welterweight champions, adding to questions about how the matchup came together.
Garcia said that value played a role in securing the fight.
“It’s the value that can get you that title, whether you lost prior or whatever,” he said. “Mario Barrios wants somebody solid. Well, guess what? He picked Ryan, and Ryan picked him.”
For fans focused on merit, the situation reflects a familiar issue in boxing. Ryan Garcia has been positioned for a world title fight without first proving himself against the division’s top contenders, leaving the fight to be judged as much on how it was made as on what happens in the ring.
