Ryan Garcia Received Mixed Reactions After Sharing His Mental Health Struggles

Ryan Garcia – one of the best young fighters in the world – has not regretted that he shared his personal struggle with mental health … despite the conflicting reactions he says he has received.

TMZ Sports spoke with 23-year-old Garcia, who is ready to return to the ring in April – and asked what the response has been after he had stopped boxing as he battled depression and suicidal thoughts.

“Boxing fans are a little tougher than saying if you’re a singer,” Garcia says. “Even in the NFL or NBA, if you come out, you might get a better answer. But I think you have to be as tough as you can be for boxing.”

“Or you’re afraid if you don’t fight, but you know, it’ll just come with the area.”

The last time we saw Garcia in the boxing ring was in January 2021 … when he won Luke Campbell knockout in the seventh installment.

Ryan tells us that the long break made some boxing fans question his strength – what he says is never questionable when he steps inside the square.

“It’s been hard to hear all these things about me, all these opinions about why, or what’s the truth about the reasons why I don’t fight,” Ryan says. “I need to hear about myself and my character.”

“This anger, this noise, I know how special I am when I step into the ring – it’s never been a problem!”

“When I get in the ring, I always show heart and determination.”

Silver Mountain is, Garcia says of all the anger and criticism he has received for his openness, that many athletes, influencers and even people on the street have contacted him … thanking him for speaking before it was too late.

Garcia is also coming to the Snapchat series on mental health, where he will interview guests on the subject – and he will tell us it will be released before or after his upcoming fight. Emmanuel Tagoe on April 9.