By George Gigney
This week, several media stories have coincidentally intertwined, shedding light on boxing’s responsibility towards its fighters’ well-being. Ryan Garcia’s recent actions have been particularly concerning. The 25-year-old’s social media posts have raised alarm, as he has made claims ranging from being murdered to being sexually assaulted by a family member at the age of two. He has also asserted having evidence of encounters with aliens and being coerced into watching child pornography as part of a disturbing ritual.
Garcia, who in the past has chosen to spend time away from boxing to address mental health issues, is still scheduled to fight Devin Haney on April 20. This week, though, we’ve got reports that the powers that be are finally thinking about stepping in. It was suggested in this column several weeks ago that the least that should happen is a psychiatric evaluation of Garcia to determine whether he is mentally healthy enough to fight and, according to Garcia himself, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) is planning to do just that.
The NYSAC, as the governing body overseeing Haney-Garcia, has devised a plan for conducting a “mental evaluation,” as referred to by Garcia. Unfortunately, Garcia expresses discontentment with this course of action.
“I’m going to take legal action against the NYC commission, and do you know why?” he stated in a series of social media videos. “They are attempting to request a mental evaluation for me. When I asked them on what grounds, they mentioned my tweets and posts. I responded, ‘Isn’t it my constitutional right to freely express myself?’ So, simply because of my tweets, they think I need a mental evaluation? That’s quite perplexing.”
“You are currently attempting to interfere with my constitutional rights, which means I will take legal action against you. Specifically, I plan to sue you for defamation of character.”
The NYSAC has yet to announce its decision regarding the evaluation of Garcia’s mental health. However, it is imperative that they do so, considering the evidence we have witnessed in Garcia’s behavior lately. It seems unlikely that his actions are merely a ploy to promote the Haney fight, as some have proposed. It is evident that Garcia is genuinely going through a difficult time, and it is crucial for someone to intervene and offer him the necessary support.
Mauricio Sulaiman, the President of WBC, informed talkSPORT that his organization is currently engaged in discussions with the NYSAC regarding Garcia. The WBC ‘world’ super-lightweight title is expected to be up for grabs in the Haney fight. Sulaiman mentioned that the WBC is actively dealing with the situation, although he did not provide specific details. Additionally, he expressed confidence that Garcia would be ready to compete on April 20. However, it remains uncertain how he arrived at this conclusion. Considering the circumstances, relying on the WBC for a reasonable resolution may not be the wisest decision.
Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia
Now, the crucial question is whether the NYSAC will indeed intervene and implement the required safety measures. If they do so and a mental health evaluation determines that Garcia is unfit to compete, the NYSAC will be obligated to cancel the fight. However, the event organizers may attempt to relocate and hold the bout elsewhere.
No comments have been made by those responsible for organizing the fight regarding Garcia’s unpredictable conduct. Interestingly, DAZN, the pay-per-view streaming service airing the fight, persists in promoting the event by publishing online articles. At the time of writing, the latest article highlighted Garcia’s statements to FightHype, claiming his ability to knock out a prime Floyd Mayweather in just one round.
If a fighter, especially someone like Garcia, experiences a physical problem prior to a fight, they are required to undergo a medical examination. If the issue poses a risk to the boxer’s safety, the fight is either delayed or canceled entirely. However, why isn’t the same level of attention given to mental health issues? It is crucial for someone, any responsible adult, close to Garcia to observe his behavior and advocate for an evaluation by a mental health professional.
However, it is concerning that at the age of 58, Mike Tyson will be allowed to participate in a sport where he will face a man who is 30 years younger than him. Regardless of the fact that his opponent is a former Disney star who gained fame through foolish acts on YouTube, it is not appropriate for Tyson to engage in boxing at his age.
Stephen Hughes, a senior lecturer in medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, provided a comprehensive analysis of the health dangers faced by Tyson in an article for The Conversation. Among the various risks mentioned, Hughes emphasizes the significant threat of a subdural haematoma, a condition where brain veins tear leading to potential neurological impairment and potentially fatal consequences.
Hughes warns that Tyson’s intensive training for the bout alone could pose a risk to his heart, given his age. Additionally, Tyson’s documented history of alcohol and cocaine abuse further exacerbates the potential harm to his brain and heart, as highlighted by Hughes.
However, who are the experts to say?
In conclusion, a potential remedy for boxing’s failure to adequately care for its fighters was suggested by Carl Froch. During a luncheon organized by the Boxing Writers’ Club, Froch expressed his apprehensions about Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the sport. He highlighted that a portion of the substantial funds the country seems to be investing in boxing could be allocated to governing bodies such as the British Boxing Board of Control. This financial support could greatly assist these organizations in safeguarding the well-being of both current and retired boxers.
This argument, though intelligent and empathetic, will ultimately be disregarded.
Carl Froch, as depicted in the image by GLYN KIRK/AFP.
Boxing on the Box
March 22
Chris Bourke-Ashley Lane
TNT Sports 1
Coverage begins at 7pm
March 23
Dalton Smith-Jose Zepeda
DAZN
Coverage begins at 7pm
