A world championship title has alluded Ryan Garcia thus far throughout the rising fighter’s six-year career.
But if you ask Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs), being a boxing beltholder doesn’t matter.
“You guys put so much emphasis on these belts. Let them go, they don’t mean sh!t. Belts don’t mean sh!t nowadays,” Garcia told the DAZN Boxing Show. “If I beat Devin [Haney], they’ll say now go fight Tank [Gervonta Davis]. But if I beat Tank, they can’t say sh!t.
“These belts have no substance. It’s like wearing a chain, but it’s not heavy. It’s not real. All it matters is that you beat the guy that matters who everyone thinks you can’t beat. Then you make a bunch of money. The money lasts, but the belts don’t mean anything. We’re in this game. It’s called prizefighting. It’s entertainment. You guys can put so much emphasis on these belts and make millions of comments. I don’t care what anybody says. You can have millions of comments that say, ‘oh, why don’t you have a belt.’ But I got millions of dollars.
“When I was 8 years old, I said I wanted to be a pro and I wanted to make the money. I never said I want to be an undisputed champion. My dream was to win a gold medal and make a bunch of money in the pros.”
In addition to belittling the value of being a beltholder, Garcia belittled how Haney became the undisputed lightweight champion.
“I wouldn’t be proud to say I’m undisputed if I beat [George] Kambosos. I’m going to be proud once I beat everybody. That’s when I raise my head up high,” said Garcia.
“Everywhere I walk in the streets, not one time do they mention Devin Haney. Everyday I get mentioned Tank Davis. If you don’t think that I want to whoop that man the most so I can get my respect, that’s what I’m coming for. I don’t care about anything else.”
When Garcia was asked for his thoughts about facing former amateur rival Haney, the soon-to-be 24-year-old said: “Oh, I’m going to beat his ass.”
