Q&A: A Day in the Life of Undefeated Boxing Prodigy Ryan Garcia
Ryan Garcia is a natural showman. The toned 23-year-old oozes confidence and charisma across the board, whether that’s in the boxing ring (Garcia is currently undefeated), in the public eye (he models for the likes Dolce & Gabbana) or online (he currently sits at 8.7 million followers on Instagram with the handle @kingryan). A quick one-two here, a cover shoot there. As he’s proved time and time again, Garcia is all but built for the lifestyle he leads.
Lighting fast and movie-star handsome, much like his icons — “So hard to pick, but I’d have to say Muhammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao,” he tells InsideHook — Garcia’s animal magnetism shines through not just in his dashing good looks and eye-catching fighting style, but in his happy-go-lucky personality. He’s all but broiling for his next bout. “It’s been over a year since I’ve been in the ring and I can’t wait to fight again in front of my fans!” he exclaims, referencing his upcoming fight against Emmanuel Tagoe on April 9. Tagoe, 32-1, has nearly 10 years experience on Garcia, but the young star is undeterred. Figures.
Although it’s hard to imagine a time when the boxing star wasn’t the face of his generation (the likes of Jake Paul withstanding), Garcia’s meteoric ascent has been relatively quick. Prior to racking up a slew of professional wins, just a few years ago the phenom was perhaps best known as a novelty, and more for his Instagram videos, where Garcia would unleash a flurry of jabs, checks and punches at breakneck speed. Sort of like the guy who does a backflip at a party, times one hundred.
But “Kingry,” as he’s affectionately known to his fans, isn’t a one-trick pony. He’s become notorious in the ring, with 18 KOs in his undefeated 23-0 record. If anything, he’s a workhorse; as a boxer he’s tireless in his effort to stay at the top of his game, waking up for five mile runs and cramming in three or four training sessions a day. As he puts it, “I’m all about the warrior spirit.”
Nor is Garcia a one-dimensional figure. Part of a new generation of fighters, and having grown up in a digital age where conversations about mental health and masculinity involve more nuanced takes than “power through” or “be a man,” Garcia has a fresh perspective, one that many of his combat sport compatriots traditionally lack. And he is not afraid to voice it.
At the forefront of that perspective, and quintessential to Garcia’s mindset, is the notion that taking care of yourself is just as important as training your body to the limit. In the age of massage guns and next-level recovery tech, it can be easy to forget that self care is more than just treating sore and aching muscles, but Garcia has been refreshingly open about his struggles with stardom and with mental health. After all, the worst part of boxing is “the noise outside of the ring,” as he puts it.
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Garcia’s most recent entry into the self-care space comes in the form of a partnership with skincare startup MARLOWE, where he’s promoting men’s products that he swears by. It’s a departure from the traditional booze and betting sponsorships that are the norm in organizations like the UFC, and a welcome one from boxing’s biggest influencer.
InsideHook recently caught up with the boxing world’s social-media superstar to chat all things Ryan Garcia, from how he got into the sport to his recent partnership with Marlowe to his undying love for Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Only time will tell how far he can go, but one thing’s for certain: this kid is already a star.
InsideHook: We know who you are and what you do, but help us fill in the why. How did you get into boxing?
Ryan Garcia: I’ve been boxing since I was eight years old. I’m such a competitive person and love sports, but team sports weren’t my thing. When I play anything, I get so deeply invested and focused that I used to get frustrated playing sports like baseball where other teammates weren’t as committed as I was. I asked my uncle what sport he would recommend that would allow me to be in control of the work I put in, and he recommended boxing. I started young and just fell in love with the sport. Boxing for me is a spiritual endeavor. You get out of it what you put in, and I feel that I’m one of the hardest workers in the business.
Beyond being an undefeated fighter, you also have a massive social media following. What’s it like?
From day one I viewed social media as a way to connect directly with my fans. I think I’ve grown a large following because I have honestly and genuinely engaged with my fans from day one. My success has been their success. My struggles have also been theirs as well. It’s great having their support, but it’s also hard at times. Online bullying is a real thing and I am human just like everyone else. For those who do support me, I want you to know how much I appreciate you.
Walk us through your day. The alarm goes off at what time? Take it from there.
I wake up at 7 a.m and go for a five-mile run. I shower up and clean, then rest and have a smoothie. I’ll check my phone, and might play a quick game of Super Smash Brothers with my friends. At 12 p.m. I head to the boxing gym for a three-and-half-hour session where I push my body to the limits. From there I head home where my chef cooks up lunch. I keep it lean during camp so my lunches consist of some sort of fish, vegetable and rice. From there I get a couple of hours of rest, then I’m headed to strength and conditioning at 6 p.m. for two hours. From there I shower again and recover. During camp, I’ll watch anime. It’s all about the warrior spirit!
What does the skincare routine look like? And how does your intense training affect that routine?
I like to keep a consistent routine in my busy schedule. Throughout the years of training, I’ve found that my routine needs to be as efficient as possible. I really like the No. 102 Body Scrub Soap Bar because it acts as a two-in-one to scrub away sweat from training while also buffing my skin to be super smooth. After that, I always have the No. 123 Facial Moisturizer handy to make sure my skin stays hydrated without looking shiny. Whether I use it before the ring or getting ready to celebrate after a fight, the No. 171 Classic Pomade is a staple in my routine. I like it because it gives me hold but it’s still flexible in my hair. It also doesn’t hurt your eyes if you sweat, which is a major plus.
Boxing and skincare might seem like opposite ends of the spectrum to some people. Why have you decided to partner with MARLOWE?
I partnered with MARLOWE because I fell in love with their products and decided to become part of the company. For any athlete, skincare is important because of how hard we push our bodies. I see skincare as another form of recovery for the body. I see self-care as vital for all people, not just athletes. From physical health, mental health, skincare, to rest, it’s all important and together it plays a huge part in feeling like your best self.
OK, back to your day. You’re a super stylish guy, what are you tossing on?
When it comes to workout gear I use Gymshark. They’ve supported me for many years. When it comes to fashion, I love it all. Some of my favorites are Amiri, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana, who’ve I’ve done several collabs with in the past.
Last thing — pro tips from a pro boxer. How about some words of wisdom?
Find a career path that you truly love and are passionate about. Work your butt off until you can make it into a career and when you do, be grateful every day for the opportunity you are given.
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The article Q&A: A Day in the Life of Undefeated Boxing Prodigy Ryan Garcia by Paolo Sandoval was originally published on InsideHook.