A month out from Ryan Garcia’s much-anticipated return to the ring, he has found himself on the receiving end of a verbal barrage from Claressa Shields.
Garcia and Shields have gone back-and-forth on social media in the past, and the Michigan woman’s recent comments will have no doubt escalated any lingering tension.
‘King Ry’ takes on Rolando Romero at Times Square on May 2nd, in what will be his first bout after a one-year drug ban.
The 25-year-old tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine in the wake of his stunning win over Devin Haney, which was later ruled a no-contest as a result.
And Shields still clearly harbours resentment over Garcia’s failed test as well as some of the comments he made around the Haney fight, labelling him a “drug cheat” in an interview with Fight Hub TV.
“I’m hoping that Rolly [Romero] catches Ryan and puts his damn lights out.
“Ryan is a drug cheat and he knows he cheated. And the world keep saying, ‘Oh, Devin didn’t get way out of a hook.’ He got hit with a steroid hook. Like it wasn’t just a hook, it was a steroid hook.
“Ryan [is a] disrespectful man. He’s disrespectful and everybody is giving him a pass. ‘Oh he’s doing better and he went to rehab.’
Claressa Shields went IN on Ryan Garcia 😳
“I hope Rolly puts his damn lights out. Ryan’s a drug cheat. He’s a disrespectful kid… I would’ve sued him too.” 😬
(via @FightHubTV) pic.twitter.com/HQz72p4qmH
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) April 2, 2025
“He was saying the N-word, he said my dad raped me, and all type of stuff. I don’t respect that.
“[There] still hasn’t been an apology from him yet. I don’t care how drunk or high he was, that’s not acceptable.”
Garcia recently admitted he struggled with alcohol addiction before and after his fight with Haney last April, and is cutting a very different demeanour a year on.
‘The Dream’ will fight against Jose Ramirez as chief support in New York next month, and a mammoth rematch between the two bitter rivals is being targeted for later this year – provided they both emerge victorious.
Shields herself was provisionally suspended earlier this year after returning a positive test for marijuana following her win over Danielle Perkins in February, however this was lifted by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission in a matter of weeks.
