Ryan Garcia says today’s welterweight division is finally attracting the massive names boxing fans have wanted to see for years, and he believes champions now have a responsibility to fight the best, not protect positions.

Garcia, who recently won the WBC welterweight title, said the sport frustrated him early in his career because elite fighters often avoided each other in their prime years. Ryan said one of the reasons he agreed to fight Gervonta Davis was because he wanted to see more top fighters facing each other rather than avoid risky fights.

“At the time, no one was fighting each other,” Ryan told Elaborate News, discussing his decision to accept the Davis fight under complex contract terms.

“I think that we, I, as champion, have a responsibility to support boxing in the most respectable way possible without putting myself in bad trouble. But I am the type of person that I will fight anyone, especially when all conditions are equal and fair. I will fight anyone.”

Ryan also rejected the notion that he avoids tough opponents, pointing to fighters he has faced throughout his career.

“I have never been afraid of a top-class fight in my life. Throughout my life, since my amateur days, I have fought everyone. I have fought in the most complex categories,” Garcia said.

Ryan then pointed to the current state of the welterweight division, arguing that 147 pounds has become in the spotlight because so many fighters are currently pursuing major fights there.

“Now you see 147, everyone wants to come here now,” Ryan said.

Garcia is currently expected to return on September 12 in Las Vegas, although he recently cautioned that details regarding a potential fight with Conor Benn are still not fully finalized.

Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most crucial fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.

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Last updated: 27/05/2026 at 23:48

If their warm-up fights prove irrelevant, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will face each other before the end of the year to settle their long-running feud. Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez shared his thoughts on the blockbuster fight.

Fury and Joshua have finally agreed fight terms, but the event still hinges on the success of each in transition fights – something that cannot be taken for granted, as ‘AJ’ found out when he lost to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 and again when a proposed clash with Deontay Wilder ended in the American’s loss to Joseph Parker.

On Saturday, July 25, Joshua will return to fight the little-known Albanian Kristian Prenga, who won all 20 triumphs in his career by knockout, but has not yet reached a level close to the world level.

Meanwhile, ‘The Gypsy King’ is preparing for his second appearance in 2026, recently teasing that he will appear on the Dublin card next week, with fans still unsure who will be in the opposite corner. A low-risk dance partner is expected so as not to expose the completely British banger to any real danger.

In an interview with Boxing News, four-division world champion Canelo looked to the future, predicting – and hoping for – an Anthony Joshua victory.

“I think Anthony Joshua [will win]. I’m always with Anthony Joshua. It’s a good fight, but I’m betting on Anthony Joshua.

Joshua has previously trained with Canelo while touring gyms in the United Statesworking for a miniature trial period under Alvarez head coach Eddy Reynoso before opting to hire Robert Garcia instead ahead of his 2022 rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. He has now opted for the team of elderly rival and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, adding more intrigue to the Fury fight.

The backlash has grown louder as neither Kabayel nor Sanchez currently fit the commercial profile of a Tyson Fury fight, a fight with Anthony Joshua or even a rematch with Rico Verhoeven, even though both are viewed as unsafe opponents.

Kabayel spent the last year clawing his way into the title game with wins over Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov, while Sanchez regained momentum with a knockout of Richard Torrez Jr. earlier this month.

Some fans, however, believe Team Usyk could now pivot towards bigger commercial events instead of risky mandatory fights.

This theory gained popularity after Usyk fought against Verhoeven’s arrest in Egypt. The fight generated mixed interest, with debate about a stoppage and immediate discussion about a rematch.

Some fans now believe that a second fight with Rico could prove to be the perfect bridge as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua move closer to their anticipated showdown later this year.

If Fury defeats Joshua, a third fight with Usyk will immediately become up for sale again. If Joshua wins, the next Usyk-Joshua fight will also have high commercial value.

Meanwhile, Kabayel remains in a complex situation. Although respected by die-hard boxing fans, the undefeated German challenger currently does not have the mainstream international profile that Fury, Joshua and even Verhoeven did after the event in Egypt.

This led some fans to wonder if Lapin’s “highlight” comment was less about ambition and more about avoiding high-risk heavyweight rivals who carry a threat without being tied to a blockbuster business.