Ryan Garcia

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, every school day The Cardinal will feature a prominent and historical Hispanic American, living or dead, who has worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes, who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

September 18, 2023

Ryan Garcia is an American professional boxer. He was born August 8, 1998 in Los Alamitos, California and is of Mexican descent. By the age of seven, Ryan’s interest in boxing had sparked and his dream was to fight for the U.S in the Olympics. He started participating in amateur fights and it wasn’t until he was 17 that he actually started his professional career.

On June 9, 2016, he fought Edgar Meza in Tijuana, and won by TKO (Technical Knockout). Only 5 months after his first professional fight and win, Golden Boy Promotions signed him, and boxer Oscar De La Hoya, announced that Ryan Garcia would be fighting in the light-heavyweight Smith- Hopkins main event at The Forum. Ryan would again take a win but this time by knockout in the second round.

Ryan Garcia would get trained by Eddy Reynoso, trainer of Canelo Alvarez and Oscar Valdez in their facility located in San Diego, California. Before Ryan fought Gervanti Davis, he was undisputed (never lost a fight) and had 23 wins and 0 losses. After the fight Ryan was left kneeling in front of Davis and a one under lost fight.

Given his aptitude for the spotlight these days, it may come as some surprise that Garcia had to overcome anxiety and depression as a teenager.

“I guess as a young kid I was always an over-thinker,” said Ryan Garcia. “I didn’t understand anxiety could have physical effects on you, like panic attacks. I had a little dark time. But I learned my emotions, my triggers, the things I need to stay away from. Yes I may be confident, I put on a show but deep inside I am that same person who has fear and doubts like everyone else.”

Aside from winning belts and fame in the ring, Garcia sights helping others through their depression, by providing tips and more information on his own experiences, as a major source of inspiration to him.

Ryan has helped create change because he is one of few professional fighters that have started as amateur and have now gone professional. During 2021, Garcia signed a deal with sports drink Gatorade to appear on television commercials advertising the brand, thus becoming the first American boxer ever to appear on a Gatorade campaign. He is living proof to many out in the world who have dreams that they can achieve them with hard work and dedication.

About the Contributor

Belen Alonso, Staff Writer

Belen Alonso is a sophomore who played varsity soccer last year and hopes to play again this upcoming season. Soccer makes Belen feel at home and comfortable. Belen likes to “run in the field like a silly goose”- Dhalia Arrianga. She loves the feeling of when the cool air hits her and especially likes it when she gets to play games in the rain. This makes her feel a certain way because the feeling of the water falling on her keeps her refreshed, and she thinks of movie scenes. Belen loves cloudy days even if she might complain about them. Sometimes she loves them. The feeling that it gives off is just a “magical” feeling. She is very indecisive when it comes to certain things except for food. Belen is a food fan and loves Filibertos taco shop.

To change the world Belen wants to not litter as much. She says that even though this is a small thing to do, it contributes to the stop of climate change. Her reasoning behind it is that pollution contributes to pollution so if she stops littering as much she can be part of the cause to stop pollution and better the world. Society can focus on themselves and what they do instead of trying to check everybody else. Belen says that you can only help others if you have helped yourself first.