Ryan García says he will return to the ring on July 25, with plans to face Teofimo Lopez in a major title defense. The fight would mark the first defense of García’s WBC welterweight title.
García captured that belt in February with a sharp performance against Mario Barrios. He controlled the action and showed improved discipline. As a result, he secured one of the biggest wins of his career.
Now, Ryan García aims to take another step forward. A bout with Lopez would carry serious weight. It could also position García as the first fighter to face all members of boxing’s so called “new four kings.”
The group included García, Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and the aforementioned Lopez. Each fighter rose from the lightweight division. All have since claimed titles and built strong followings.
Ryan García already shared the ring with two of them. First, he faced Davis in April 2023. That fight featured two undefeated stars in their primes. However, Davis stopped García with a brutal body shot in round seven.
Even so, the event proved to be a massive success. It reportedly sold over 1.2 million pay per view buys. In addition, it generated about 22.8 million dollars in ticket revenue.
Then, García met Haney nearly a year later. This time, he delivered a shocking performance. He dropped Haney three times and won a majority decision. The judges scored the bout 114 to 110, 115 to 109, and 112 to 112.
García backed up the result with strong numbers. He out landed Haney 106 to 87 in total punches. He also dominated in power shots, landing 95 to Haney’s 45. Moreover, García connected on 41 percent of his power punches.
Meanwhile, Haney struggled to match his usual output. He landed fewer punches per round than in previous fights. That shift played a key role in the outcome.
However, the victory did not stand for long. Soon after, the Voluntary Anti Doping Association reported a positive test for Ostarine. García denied the claim and spoke out on social media.
Nevertheless, the situation escalated. The New York State Athletic Commission ruled the fight a no contest. Haney regained his record and title. García received a one year suspension, lost his purse, and paid a fine.
Now, García looks to continue to move past that chapter. He has turned his focus to Lopez, a former two division champion. The matchup offers both risk and reward.
Lopez enters the fight after a tough loss to Shakur Stevenson in January at Madison Square Garden. He failed to win a round and now seeks a strong comeback.
At the same time, García brings talent and unpredictability into the ring. That combination makes this fight even more intriguing.
If the bout happens, it could reshape the welterweight division.
