Bernard Hopkins wants Ryan Garcia to get a “respectable tuneup” when he returns to the ring in April from his year-long suspension. Golden Boy promoter Hopkins feels Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) needs a “high-end tuneup” to get rid of the rust before moving on to face one of the top fighters.
Hopkins isn’t saying what division he wants Ryan to fight in when he returns, but given how he came in overweight for his last fight against Devin Haney, he should consider fighting at a catchweight of 143.
With Ryan’s popularity, he can constantly cross both divisions, and he will always be able to get all the important fights. No one is going to say no to a payday fight against him if he wants a catchweight.
“I want to see Ryan get a respectable tune. He needs a high-end tune,” said Bernard Hopkins to Fight Hub TV about Ryan Garcia’s return fight in April 2025. “Put him with a respectable, but still dangerous guy, and then move on to the second fight against someone in that weight division. He can show the world that you can be knocked down, but get back. This is a good time for him when April comes.”
If Ryan fights one of the light welterweight contenders for his tuneup, he can take on someone decent. This division is much better than the 147lb weight class, which has become one of the weakest in the sport since Terence Crawford and Errol Spence moved up.
“I think Ryan Garcia is ready for the top two or top four in that division,” Hopkins said. “In fact, a division down a notch and a division he is comfortable with. Ryan Garcia is ready for everyone. When Ryan is ready mentally and physically, he will be better than last year.
Hopkins doesn’t say which division he’s referring to, but he probably means the 140 lb. weight class. Ryan can certainly compete against the top fighters at 140. You have to favor Jack Catterall, Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins. These are not money fights, though. Ryan would help them by fighting, because none of those guys would ever become a star in the United States.
“This is one of the first ones that we have after getting a high-end tuning where it can be tested and will win,” said Hopkins that Teofimo Lopez is one of the options for Ryan. “It would be a good fight. I would like to see the press conference. You can sell tickets for the press conference.”
Teofimo Lopez is expected to move up to 147 soon, but he’ll stay at 140 if that’s where Ryan wants to fight. He wants to fight Ryan, Gervonta Davis and Terence Crawford. These are the three on his wish list.
“Ryan Garcia, in that weight division, the money is the old days, and this is an event. This is an event that comes once or twice a year. I want to see Ryan back. He’s waiting to get back in, chomping at the bit,” said Hopkins.
