Ryan Garcia has reached a decision regarding his choice of a new trainer.
In an announcement made across his social media platforms, Garcia revealed his decision to enlist the expertise of Derrick James.
âTime for the returnâ was what Garcia posted, along with a handful of pictures where he was working with James. One photo has Garcia, James, and unified world titleholder Errol Spence posing for the camera.
âThank you to Derrick James (and) Errol Spence for allowing me to join the team.â
Less than four weeks following his knockout defeat to Gervonta Davis in a highly anticipated clash between undefeated lightweight contenders ranked in the top 10 by The Ring, Ryan Garcia has made a significant decision regarding his trainer.
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.@RyanGarcia has a new trainer đ„
â ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 18, 2023
(via @MikeCoppinger) pic.twitter.com/6ZYhCFSDc7
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The 24-year-old boxing sensation took to his social media platforms to announce his collaboration with Derrick James, an esteemed trainer recognized as the 'Trainer of the Year' for 2022 by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). James, renowned for his work with notable fighters like Errol Spence Jr., Jermell Charlo (the Ring Magazine junior middleweight champion), and rising lightweight contender Frank Martin, will now join forces with Garcia.
Notably, Anthony Joshua, the former unified world heavyweight titleholder and currently ranked No. 3 by The Ring, also recently became part of James' stable. On April 1, James provided corner support as Joshua secured a unanimous decision victory against Jermaine Franklin.
The split between Garcia and his former trainer, Joe Goossen, was announced just one week after the Davis fight. Goossen had guided Garcia for three fights, including his dominant win against Emmanuel Tagoe in April of the previous year, where Tagoe was knocked down. Garcia's most recent victory under Goossen's tutelage came against Javier Fortuna, who endured multiple knockdowns before the fight was ultimately halted in the sixth round.
Prior to working with Goossen, Garcia had trained under the guidance of Eddy Reynoso, the esteemed trainer behind Ring Magazine super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez and junior lightweight contender Oscar Valdez.
Garcia, whose career is promoted by Golden Boy and managed by Lupe Valencia, is now set to embark on a new chapter alongside Derrick James in his pursuit of future success.
Filled with optimism, James expressed his confidence in his star-studded lineup, affectionately referring to them as his "starting five" consisting of Errol, Jermell, Frank Martin, AJ (Anthony Joshua), and now Ryan Garcia. He affirmed his unwavering commitment to guide and support them until the very end of their respective journeys, after which he intends to gracefully retire from the realm of coaching.
âThatâs it, ride with them (that core five), and retire. Boxingâs hard. Hard to get to the top, harder to stay there. I wouldnât get involved with Ryan if I couldnât do the job,â Derrick James said, matter of factly.
âA lot of people wanna see what I do.. itâs the first day, itâs a process.â