Ryan Garcia, the former WBC interim lightweight champion, paid his respects to Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani, who died at 90. The Californian boxer wore a custom Emporio Armani outfit during his 2024 fight against Devin Haney.
Garcia shared his thoughts on social media, saying:
"RIP Giorgio Armani, thank you for helping with the design for my fight against Devin Haney, truly a remarkable designer and person."
The collaboration between "King Ryan" and Emporio Armani marked a change from Garcia's previous partnerships with brands like Amiri, Dior, and Dolce & Gabbana. For his bout with Haney, Garcia sported a pale blue and white ensemble that included boxer shorts with "King Ryan" emblazoned on them and a robe with "Heart of Fire" inscribed on the back.
A standout piece of Garcia's attire was a crown designed by The Ice Champ. The headpiece featured gold, over 15,000 diamonds, and about 30 blue topaz stones. The crown's lining was made of plush blue velvet with Garcia's name inscribed.
Garcia's fight against Haney took place on April 20, 2024, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The match lasted 12 rounds, with Garcia putting on a commanding performance and knocking Haney down three times. Garcia initially won the fight, but the result was later changed to a no-contest when he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine.
After the fight, most brands distanced themselves from Garcia. Emporio Armani, however, continued to support the boxer, keeping an Instagram post featuring him active.
The collaboration between Garcia and Armani highlighted the boxer's mix of fashion and athletic pursuits. The custom Armani attire became a symbol of Garcia's ambition and high standards, leaving a lasting impact on his personal and professional identity.
Garcia is now getting ready to return to the ring, carrying with him the memory of his collaboration with the late Giorgio Armani.
