Ryan Garcia passes on rehab, talks about what he's done instead

LOS ANGELES – Dressed in a sweater and dark slacks, Ryan Garcia looked at peace Tuesday. He was standing outside a courtroom where a judge dismissed a misdemeanor charge of vandalism the boxer faced.

Garcia, 26, expressed gratitude for the favorable outome. And during an interview with USA TODAY Sports, he addressed multiple topics, including the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul scheduled for Nov. 15.

“I don't know if it's a real fight,’’ Garcia said. “I really have no clue, but hopefully they come out safe. Mike’s a little older, on the older side, so hopefully comes out with some good money.’’

The fight has been sanctioned as a professional bout by Texas combat sports officials. And if it is as legitimate as Tyson and Paul insist it will be when they step into the boxing ring at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas?

"Mike, 10 years younger, I believe he knocks out Jake,’’ Garcia said. “I don't know how it is now. I mean, Jake is young, but Mike's almost 60, right?''

Tyson is 58. Paul is 27.

"It's pretty up there,’’ Garcia said. “Yeah, we'll see what happens …

“Both of those guys are kind of my friends. I just want them to make a bunch of money.’’

About three months ago, Garcia said he was going to rehab. He said Tuesday that never happened.

“I always want to be better as a person,’’ Garcia said. “As far as rehab, no, I haven't signed up for it, but always working with a therapist. I think that for me is the best thing I could do.

“I never felt like I had an issue with substance (abuse), but some people would think the way I'd be posting (on social media) … And I get that, and now got to clear those rumors in ways of just being on my best behavior in a way. But no, I have a therapist every day and that's working perfect for me.’’

On Thursday, Garcia wrote on his X account, “My hardest fight is myself.’’

Asked what he meant, Garcia responded, "I just think, obviously, I've had mental health issues my whole life. And I think just going through that and just trying to keep myself on track mentally, I think that's my biggest battle in this sport. Because I know I can fight. As far as myself, it's a little harder.” 

In June, Garcia's mother, Lisa, confirmed she has breast cancer. Ryan Garcia suggested her condition has impacted him. 

“My mom's getting better and all of the other things that I've grown in my life, so that's great,’’ he said. “Things have calmed down and now I'm just look(ing) to just become the best in my sport and just dedicate myself in that way.”

Garcia (24-1 with 20 KOs) expressed interest in a rematch with Devin Haney, who Garcia knocked down three times in a majority decision April 20. But Garcia is serving a one-year suspension for testing positive for a banned substance at the time of that bout and Haney recently sued Garcia for fraud, battery and breach of contract based on the doping violation.

“So that's another issue,’’ Garcia said of the lawsuit. “But, yeah, I would love to do a rematch with him and beat him again … I just got to go through my process of suspension, and I'll think about giving them a rematch when I feel like it.”

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