‘I am in a different mental space’: Ryan Garcia talks about altered approach for Romero fight

Ryan Garcia says he’s approaching his fight with Rolando Romero with more focus.

As Ryan Garcia prepares for his next fight on May 2 in Time Square he spoke to boxing media about the event itself, getting ready for the fight, and why he’s taken a different approach in the build up to this fight than he did when he was facing Devin Haney. Here’s some of what Garcia had to say.

Garcia on going from his Tijuana debut to Headlining Times Square

“To be honest, I didn’t even dream about it. It was not even a thought in my head. Times Square? I’m just happy to be part of history. It’s a big opportunity for me to do something amazing at a historic event. There’s a little added pressure, but this is what we do, this is why we’ve trained since we were young, for these super mega events. I’m blessed.”

On fighting for a world championship and his hunger for it

“As I grew up, I’m like, ‘it would be nice to get a championship under my belt,’ but I don’t want to say anyone can become a champion, but it’s pretty watered down at the moment. For me, quality opponents, how I perform, how I look, and how much money I’m making really determine how good of a fighter you are.”

“You’re called a prize fighter, but we’re fighting for a prize. It’s still in my heart to become a champion. I believe I’m fighting for a 147-pound championship, so I will be a world champion. I’m excited, but do I want to fight somebody else that would make me feel more like a champion? Whoever the champions are, Jaron Ennis, Brian Norman, Mario Barrios, any of those guys. I will win the world championship if I beat any of those guys.”

On never shying away from fights

“Yeah, 100 percent, that’s always how I’ve been. I feel like with my talent, any fight I’m in, no matter how good they are, I’m right there with anybody.”

On his antics vs Haney compared to Rolando

“You got to know that Devin is a much different fighter than Rolando. Rolando wouldn’t get offended by antics, he actually would love that. It’s a whole different situation. I got to be sharp the whole way through. He only throws bombs, that’s all he knows how to throw, so if I’m not sharp the whole way through, I could get caught and that’s not something I want to do so for me, it’s about having my technique right, and that’s what we’ve been working on just technique, making sure our hands get back, watching what he’s doing at all times, and we should do the job.”

On sparring with Rolly years ago

“As I’ve matured, for me it’s just another fight. After the year layoff, it just so happened to be Rolando. I really just want to get sharp again and prepare for the next fight, but I can’t look past Rolando obviously. I’ll be looking to shake off some of the rust and get right for the next fight because I got a lot to prove with the Devin Haney rematch.”

On Devin Haney rematch

“I want the Devin Haney rematch 100 percent. I need it and I’m going to do it for USADA this time. I want the Devin Haney rematch so bad. I really want it. There’s some personal bad blood there but it’s not going to overrule me but it’s got some extra oomph in there, you know, when you’re fighting and put it on him even more. Then you got Bill’s [Haney] crazy antics, and he’s constantly talking nonstop, and that makes me want to put a whooping in a little bit more. This is an opportunity to do it again, and I think after that, I’ll put a stamp on that and move forward.”

On his background

“A lot of us, we don’t come from a rich background. A lot of boxers have to work from the dirt and get to the top, that’s the dream of a fighter. Most of us don’t have money. Why would you want to box if you got money? At the end of the day, I’m just that story of a young kid from a tough neighborhood, but when you have talent, you can make it anywhere, and if you work hard, you can reach the top. I think that’s what I’ve been proving, and no matter if I’m underestimated, which I am most of the time, my talent prevails, my hard work shows out, and that’s why I’m going to be ready to go again on May 2.”

On being in a different headspace

“I am in a different mental space, every fight has its challenges, every camp has its own challenges. I just felt like playing mind games with them, they like to play mind games with you. Bill Haney liked to talk about a lot of crazy things to throw you off, but I was going to out-crazy the crazy. I took it a little too far, but I did win.”

On how the year has been for him

“It’s been good, a couple ups and downs, but I’m excited to be in the ring and in my element. It’s where I produce the best version of myself when preparing for a fight, so I’m excited.”

On what he has been working on with Derrick James

“I just have to take the advice of my coach. He likes to keep everything low-key, but we’re prepared for whatever Rolando brings. We’re not expecting an easy fight. He’s a power-puncher, and he’s going to try to knock me out and make the fight rough. I just have to be well-conditioned and have a good gameplan.”

On Oscar saying the fight will end quickly

“You know, when you say that it usually doesn’t happen. So for me, I’m just doing my thing. If I see the shot open, I’m going to take it, but if not, I’m ready to go 12 rounds.”

On his time and struggle away from boxing

“I did a lot of things, but for me it was more mental. Everything was mental. It took a toll on my mentality because I know I didn’t take steroids or anything like that. It was tough for me to overcome that, but throughout the year I got over it, refocused myself, and got blessed with this opportunity. I felt that this is my chance to come back and show everybody I can really fight.”

On his training during the time off

“Derrick and I had a couple of training sessions preparing for that fight in Japan. Obviously, it didn’t work out, but we were in the gym preparing for another opponent. It is what it is, but now we’re here.”