So the other shoe dropped late last week. Ryan Garcia has been suspended for one year (retroactive to April 20) for testing positive for ostarine (a banned PED) before his bout against Devin Haney. An agreement was reached by representatives of Garcia and the New York State Athletic Commission.
In addition to the suspension, he was fined $10,000 by the commission, and Garcia forfeited his listed purse of $1.2 million. During this stretch he must undergo random drug testing.
So this news brought about a wide variety of reactions. Some believed that Garcia was being unfairly persecuted, others think this punishment was a bit lenient. Truthfully, a lot of this is based on your personal feelings towards Garcia, who is as polarizing an individual as there is in boxing.
Golden Boy Promotions
Garcia will come away with a tarnished reputation. But in truth, judging by his behavior, he may not care all that much. And while Haney gets his undefeated record back, he can't undo the damage that was done to him at the Barclay Center, where he was floored three times. The everlasting image to most fans will be the clips of that night, and nothing else. Nuance is oftentimes in short supply with the casual followers of the sport.
There is a sliding scale of justice among boxing fans based on how you feel about a particular boxer. The only thing consistent about many fans is their inconsistency, and double-standards.
Personally, I think the penalty is a tad light. If it were up to me (and it's certainly not), the suspension would have been between 18 months and two years. I've often said that giving modern day boxers six-month suspensions is akin to giving starting pitchers five game suspensions. What is really lost, here?
Now, with this being a 12 month sentence, Garcia will not be allowed to box for the rest of 2024, and the first third of the following year. So that's at least one payday he will not get, if not two. Keep in mind, Garcia is one of the highest earners in the sport. So it isn't just $1.2 million and change that he lost here.
Golden Boy Promotions
But with both sides being a bit unhappy with the NYSAC decision, maybe justice was served.
Meanwhile, the game will move forward, fights will take place, while Garcia goes to various poker tournaments, saves kids and attempts stand-up comedy. We'll see him next spring.
TALL ORDER
On Friday night, WBO featherweight champion, Rafael Espinoza, showed that he may be more than just a one-hit wonder, as he dismantled Sergio Chirino over four rounds, in what was his first title defense. Back in December, 'el Divino, upset the highly touted Robeisy Ramirez in a thrilling 12-round barn burner to win this title.
Rafael Espinoza Pours It On Sergio Chirino For TKO Win | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
Espinoza floored Chirino in the first, third and fourth rounds. At 6'1, he is a abnormally tall featherweight. He's also Diego Corrales-esque in how he is able to shorten his punches, and deliver compact blows with real torque and momentum.
Yeah, he's hittable, and Espinoza will give up his height (much like Corrales), but he swarms you with his activity and wide variety of punches. Hey, that's part of his appeal. He's becoming must-see TV.
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"We had a plan to control our distance in the fight. But I like throwing punches and showing people what they want to see, which is action. That’s why I went forward as soon as the first round began. I don’t like going backward," said Espinoza.
Perhaps I'm being a prisoner of the moment, and no disrespect to solid guys like Luis Alberto Lopez, Nick Ball, Brandon Figueroa, and Rey Vargas, but if Figueroa isn't the best current featherweight on the planet -- he might be the divisions toughest out. Espinoza is eager to find out.
"I’m here. It’s my time. The time of 'El Divino.' I want to unify, and I want the big challenges."
FINAL FLURRIES
It was announced by Matchroom Boxing that Jack Catterall will face former world-champion, Regis Prograis, on August 24 in Manchester, England... Troy Isley came up big in winning a clear cut 10-round decision against Javier Martinez on Friday night... The WBO has ordered a rematch between Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez for their 130-pound belt...I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com....
