After the fight: Support Ryan Garcia and mental health awareness

Ryan Garcia took a step back from boxing to focus on his health. Mental health struggles are real, and Garcia should be supported, not torn down. 

The April 24 Top Rank boxing card was a pleasure to watch from top to bottom. From Xander Zayas‘s round 1 KO to the war between Emanuel Navarrete and Christopher Diaz, Top Rank should be commended for their excellent matchmaking. At the same time, a health-conscious decision and announcement from Ryan Garcia brought out the worst and best in people on social media.

Now more than ever, people around the world are struggling to maintain their mental health. The isolation and dangers from COVID-19 are likely amplifying and increasing mental health problems around the globe, but they have always existed. Unfortunately, stigmas caused by ignorance have driven people to battle with their internal problems alone, making the fight even more daunting.

Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) released a message on Instagram on April 24 announcing he was pulling out of his scheduled July 9 bout with Javier Fortuna. He stated that “it is important to manage my health and wellbeing.”

Most thought Garcia was alluding to his mental health due to his openness in discussing depression and anxiety. Regardless of the threat to Garcia’s well-being, people took to social media to say something negative.

Some suggested that Garcia was ducking Fortuna or using his mental health as an excuse to withdraw from the fight to seek leverage in making a more lucrative fight. Others made the absurd argument Garcia was soft for prioritizing his mental health. All of those shots at Garcia were mean-spirited, callous, and devoid of empathy.

Yes, there was a segment of keyboard warriors that gleefully kicked Garcia when he was down. Sadly, it’s not surprising that so many people took to their cell phones to harass and taunt Garcia. That’s also a huge part of the problem.

Psychologist Jean Twenge attributed a major increase in mental health problems for young people to smartphones and social media in her 2017 article “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” that appeared in The Atlantic.

Looking at what Garcia has had to deal with recently, Twenge’s article rings true. He has a massive social media following and is a big star. With more attention and fame comes more scrutiny, and anybody that has something negative to say about Garcia can go to town on social media.

Their menacing words can only hurt the young pugilist. They illogically try to undercut the legitimacy of Garcia’s health concerns while contributing to the rhetorical TNT that harms a person’s self-esteem and mental health. They’re refuting his words while causing the issue they claim doesn’t exist.

Ryan Garcia deserves support and understanding on his path to better health

Garcia has found a lot of success at a young age. He is only 22 years old. Garcia has money and fame, but he’s also putting his physical health on the line every time he steps in the ring while trying to fulfill unreasonable expectations that have been unfairly thrown on him. That’s enough to give anybody anxiety.

Critics seized on a recent social media post by Garcia’s partner showing them enjoying each other’s company in an ideal beach location. The haters took aim like that was evidence Garcia was making up his health concerns. Is Garcia not allowed to feel happiness? Do they want Garcia to suffer?

Yes, they do. That’s why they’re using their time to attack Garcia on social media. It’s truly sad that people feel so carefree when it comes to disparaging others.

Thankfully, others greeted Garcia’s message with acceptance, support, and thoughtfulness. Many fans, fighters, and people in boxing rallied around Garcia to counteract antagonizing vibes. It showed that there’s a greater cross-section of individuals who embody compassion than antipathy.

Boxers take enough punches in the ring. We idolize them because of their physical powers, which sometimes leads to a false perception of invincibility. Outside of the ring, boxers are ordinary people subject to the same stressors in life as you or I.

In too many cases, fighters, and people in general, don’t get the help they need in dealing with their emotional pain, which can result in self-destructive behavior and/or others being harmed by collateral damage.

Tyson Fury once told me about his struggles with bipolar disorder.

“Now that I’ve had education, I know how to deal with it,” said Fury. “It becomes easier in life. Without the right education, without the right help, then it’s going to get real hard.”

Fury is a great example of how people dealing with mental health problems can be helped, but the fight for Fury, Garcia and millions of others is never over. It’s a lifelong battle that requires attention and support.

Fury dropped some wisdom on me that others may benefit from hearing to better empathize with those living with mental health issues.

“I don’t suppose anyone understands mental health until you go through it yourself,” said Fury. “It’s very hard to explain, and you don’t even know what I’m talking about unless you’ve suffered it yourself.”