Ryan Garcia thinks he will end his boxing career early. He plans to retire at the age of 26. But the hot prospect doesn’t say he will quit all martial arts at that point.
The popular Garcia said on The Rich Eisen Show on Thursday that he will consider moving to MMA after his boxing career. The 22-year-old said he wants to show that he is the best fighter in the world, and not just in the ring.
“When they say ‘okay, you beat everyone in the ring’ (and) somebody says ‘this isn’t a real fight, the real fight is kick, choke, submission, all that,’ Garcia said. Will I do it? “I’m going to show them I’m the best fighter in the world. I’m talking about hands, I’m talking about fighting. I’m going to MMA to show that God is greatest. And I’m going to beat everyone in MMA, they say I won’t beat. If I have to. Because I’m Conor McGregor, I will. And I don’t say this to get money, I don’t care about money. I’m only saying this because I feel that way. ‘
Garcia said his plan is to quit boxing when he is 26. But he wouldn’t rule out a return either.
“I still plan to retire at 26,” he said. “However, when I get back into the ring, I’m just going to fight what people say at the time … Ryan can’t beat them.”
Garcia (21-0) is ESPN’s No. 4 lightweight. The California native comes off a seventh round TKO over Luke Campbell to win the interim WBC lightweight title on January 2.