Lightweight star Ryan Garcia is set to return to the ring after mental health issues brought a sudden stop to his upward trajectory earlier this year.
The 22-year-old took to Instagram to announce that his next fight date is on the horizon.
“I’m back in October,” Garcia wrote. “I’m having fun. Been a long time but it’ll be worth the wait. LA I’m coming to fight.”
Garcia was set to face Javier Fortuna on July 9th before pulling out of the fight on April 24th, citing mental health issues and looking after his personal wellbeing as the main reason for the cancellation.
"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. I hope to be back soon and am looking forward to stepping back into the ring when I am my healthiest self.", Garcia wrote.
"I want to Thank God, my family, my doctors and my supporters,”
Now he is ready to continue his meteoric rise and is back training alongside unified super-middlweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez under the watchful eyes of reigning trainer of the year Eddy Reynoso in San Diego.
One name that has been mentioned as a potential opponent is former super-featherweight champion JoJo Diaz Jr.
Diaz stepped in to face Fortuna instead of Garcia and beat the Dominican Republic fighter.
The win made Diaz the mandatory challenger for the WBC lightweight championship after being awarded the WBC interim lightweight title, a belt once held by Ryan Garcia.
Speaking after the fight, a future clash with Garcia is something that appeals to Diaz.
"I think both [Garcia and Haney] are fights that could be made. I think me and Ryan Garcia, we are from the same promotion. I think that fight is really, really, likely to happen." Diaz said.
"Ryan Garcia would be wanting the opportunity because it's such a big fight here in LA. I think we can make that happen. Also the Devin Haney fight. Whatever person agrees to fight me next, I'm with it.”