Ryan Garcia took aim at Floyd Mayweather's boxing career strategy, claiming it changed the sport for the worse. The Californian boxer shared his thoughts during a recent appearance on Ring Magazine's 'Inside the Ring' show.
Garcia didn't pull any punches when discussing Mayweather's impact on boxing. He said Mayweather's approach to selecting opponents harmed the sport's competitive nature.
"He changed boxing in the worst way possible," Garcia stated. "He never fought anyone really in his prime, prime. So yes, he changed the game in the worst possible way."
Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record, but Garcia suggests this unblemished record came at a cost. The young boxer accused Mayweather of carefully timing his fights to avoid facing opponents at their peak, especially after moving up from super featherweight.
Despite his criticism, Garcia acknowledged Mayweather's business savvy.
"He is the best at making big fights happen. But why? Because he was timing each one," Garcia explained.
The debate over the best boxer of the century often pits Mayweather against Terence Crawford. Canelo Alvarez recently weighed in, favoring Crawford over Mayweather in terms of skill.
Garcia's stance aligns with a growing trend among younger boxers who prioritize challenging fights over protecting undefeated records. He demonstrated this mindset by risking his own perfect record against Gervonta 'Tank' Davis in 2023, a fight that ended in a knockout defeat for Garcia.
"Me, Tank, Canelo, Crawford... we're trying to reverse the impact of Mayweather," Garcia declared, outlining his vision for boxing's future.
This new generation aims to face top opponents in their prime, potentially shifting the sport back towards more competitive matchups.
Reactions to Garcia's comments have been mixed. Some boxing experts agree that Mayweather's strategy was extreme, while others defend his legacy and technical brilliance. Mayweather himself has not responded publicly to this criticism.
Garcia's words reflect a broader conversation in boxing about balancing career longevity with competitive integrity. As the sport moves forward, it remains to be seen how this debate will shape future matchups and fighter strategies.
