Ryan Garcia takes on trainer Joe Goosen – What the hell

I’ve never been a big fan of Ryan Garcia.

Yep, old school again. I like a fighter who builds his fanbase by fighting, not on social media.

It worked, at least the social media part. Garcia has had millions of fans for years, especially for a guy who can’t call himself a world champion.

The fighting Garcia has a dynamite left hook. Just ask Devin Haney and Luke Campbell, among others. He’s a pretty good fighter, just limited. He can remedy the title part by beating champion Mario Barrios in a few weeks.

Outside the ring, Garcia has had a ton of problems. He missed weight by two pounds when he fought Haney.

Garcia has acknowledged having mental issues. He said he’s bipolar. Somehow, he defeated Haney, but then tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. There goes the Haney win.

His behavior during press conferences has been peculiar. Garcia has struggled with drugs and depression. Authorities apprehended him in 2024 for vandalizing the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Garcia was suspended for a year. He returned to the ring in 2025 to fight limited Rolly Romero. Limited or not, Romero kicked Garcia’s ass. After tasting Romero’s left hook in the second heat, Garcia found himself on the canvas. He looked reluctant to engage.

The loss was the second of his career. His first was against Gervonta Davis in 2023. Davis stopped Garcia in seven rounds. The loss hurt – and some. The some was after the fight, Garcia was all alone at the press conference. Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins had skipped out. Even trainer Joe Goossen was AWOL.

“It hurt me when he (Goossen) didn’t show up after my Tank [Davis] loss.”That was a pretty big defeat, and I didn’t see him after the fight,”

That was odd. Can’t blame him there.

Goossen, whom Garcia fired, is training Barros. When Garcia saw his old trainer at a raucous press conference for his fight with Barrios, he let him know exactly how he felt.

“How could you, Joe?, said Garcia. “That’s messed up. I can’t believe you’re doing this to me; it’s insane. You broke my heart. It’s over. We’re done.”

“This is a little bit of a difficult situation, but you know things change in boxing. I got a call from Mario and his people, and they offered me the job. Goossen added that he didn’t want to offend fighters.

“I’m offended. Too late. I’m hurt,” said Garcia.

I guess it doesn’t matter that Garcia fired Goossen, at least to Garcia, who feels some disloyalty. Goossen has a right to work.

Welterweight champion Barrios, the total opposite of Garcia as far as drama goes, watched silently. He’s been victorious in 29 of 33 matches, with two draws and 18 knockouts. His losses were to Davis and Keith Thurman. Hard fights.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Barrios at Virgil Hunter’s gym in Hayward, CA, a few years ago. He’s a no frills guy. Very polite—an extremely hard worker.

He had this to say after Garcia complained about his trainer.

“This is turning into a circus,” remarked Barrios.

I’m the ringmaster!” Garcia replied.

“The payaso” (clown), said Barios, looking at Garcia.