Is Boxer King Ryan Garcia a Weak Spot in the Weight Class?

  

Seems as if everyone wants to fight Ryan Garcia.  Okay, first it's the money.  Ryan Garcia is one of the most recognizable figures in sports with millions of followers on the social networks.  but there may be other reasons too. 

Do other top contestants in the weight class see him as easy pickings? Overly hyped? Garcia has his skills, no doubt -- good timing, a sweeping left hook, and a talent for putting people into seats (or on TV screens as the case may be). 

 The latest development stems from Jo Jo Diaz Jr. Saturday night win over a game Xavier Fortuna. This was a surprise as Fortuna went in as the favorite.  While I favored Diaz myself (largely because I was more familiar with him than with Fortuna), I thought the scoring should have been closer than what the actual three judges scored. They gave Diaz a handy win.  

In the post-fight interview, Diaz mentioned he'd like a fight with Ryan Garcia if it could be arranged.  This news ticked off Devin Haney and touched off a bit of a Twitter bicker-war between the Haney and Diaz.  Haney scoffed at the implication he could be passed over and points out he's the mandatory in the division. 

I was impressed with Fortuna after seeing his pre-fight interview in which he praised Diaz for stepping up in weight to fight him. It was a courageous move and turns out to be the right one for Diaz' career.

As for Fortuna, he acquitted himself well and, as I said previously, I thought the scores were closer than the ones that ruled.  It was suggested by several commentators that Fortuna was having trouble getting big fights.  Oscar De LaHoya said the same in the post fight ring interviews.  

He's a good fighter. If Diaz had not been so inspired by his new baby boy and fresh outlook, the result might have been different.