Ryan Garcia has spoken brazenly concerning the struggles he’s confronted with psychological well being however his downward spiral earlier than and after his struggle towards Devin Haney practically led to catastrophe.
The now 26-year-old fighter placed on arguably essentially the most dazzling efficiency of his profession when he scored a number of knockdowns on Haney earlier than incomes a majority choice on the scorecards. Sadly, that win was taken away after Garcia examined optimistic for the banned substance Ostarine and the consequence was modified to a no-contest earlier than he was finally handed a one-year suspension from the game.
Even earlier than all that occurred, Garcia was abusing alcohol frequently however then the aftermath of that struggle put him on a path of self-destruction.
“I used to be going by a divorce, I used to be going by a bunch of issues that have been happening in my life that it was exhausting for me to deal with,” Garcia informed Ring Champs. “I f*cked up in that regard.
“I had my issues earlier than the struggle after which that shit simply carried on previous the struggle. To the purpose the place I ended up getting arrested on the Waldorf, simply doing a variety of shit that wasn’t good.”
Again in June 2024, Garcia was arrested and initially charged with misdemeanor vandalism after he smashed up a resort room on the Waldorf-Astoria Resort in Beverly Hills. The fees have been ultimately dismissed after he agreed to pay round $15,000 in restitution for the injury accomplished to the resort.
Garcia admits that was certainly one of his darkest days after he was already drowning in a sea of alcohol abuse, which plagued him earlier than and after his struggle towards Haney.
“I used to be in an entire completely different universe to be trustworthy,” Garcia mentioned. “I’m stunned I’m right here proper now. I used to be consuming on a regular basis. Each single day. Even the day of the struggle. Day of the struggle, I simply bought so concerned in simply attempting to deal with no matter was happening inside. Like I mentioned, I’ve been struggling mentally for years and it simply wouldn’t cease for me.
“I made a decision to take a bunch of shrooms, one thing I used to be doing already, however this time I took too many. I sort of simply misplaced it. I can’t actually say the rest. I ended up breaking every little thing within the [hotel] room. I actually don’t keep in mind. I used to be drunk and f*cked up.”
The arrest was one of many catalysts that pressured Garcia to understand he wanted assist to make some huge adjustments in his life or he may quickly grow to be a cautionary story about fame and fortune gone horribly mistaken.
“I used to be doing every little thing: playing, consuming, ladies, something I needed to do,” Garcia mentioned. “Simply destroying my soul. Destroying my spirit. It actually took a toll on me.
“Turning level was realizing like rattling, I’m f*cking my life up. Getting arrested was a giant a part of it. Nearly shedding my children was an enormous a part of it.”
Garcia says his dad and mom desperately tried to get him to hunt assist for his rising checklist of issues, however he largely ignored their pleas.
“They needed me to get assist,” Garcia revealed. “They have been attempting to get assist for me as greatest as they will however while you’re in that state, you ain’t listening.
“When you’ve got every little thing you need at your disposal, it’s not for everyone. I’ve an addictive character so after I bought going, I bought going. Simply took it to an entire different place.”
Fortunately, Garcia was capable of lastly flip issues round after hitting all-time low however he is aware of it’s an on a regular basis wrestle to remain on the straight and slim.
Whereas he admits that he might have surrounded himself with a few of the mistaken individuals, Garcia doesn’t need to push off his errors on anyone else.
In reality, Garcia is adamant that the entire duty falls again on his shoulders and he’s persevering with to take possession of his actions outdoors the ring.
“I personally don’t prefer to blame no person, that’s simply me,” Garcia mentioned. “I take duty. The blame is unquestionably on me.”
