A further look at Ryan Garcia 2026 comeback fights prospects following his continued comeback in the sport this year.
His comeback to boxing following the Rolly Romero loss last year and a year ban from boxing before that, has been good so far.
He got the win against Mario Barrios recently by UD on points.
As his comeback continues speculation now is on possible next opponents.
Leading candidates
- Conor Benn
- One organization installed him as #1 contender at welterweight
- Publicly called out Garcia after his win over Chris Eubank Jr; Garcia said he’s now “firmly on board” with the fight
- Turki Alalshikh told Benn and Eddie Hearn he likes Garcia vs Benn on Cinco de Mayo 2026 in Las Vegas if Garcia beats Mario Barrios
- Benn plans to move back to 147 lbs and target a world title in 2026
- Devin Haney
- Garcia’s April 2024 win over Haney was overturned to a no contest after Garcia failed a drug test and served a one-year ban
- A rematch is a major narrative due to the controversy and drug testing history
- Haney remains in the welterweight title picture
Other possible opponents
- Teofimo Lopez
- Multiple reports cite Garcia booking a July 2026 showdown with Lopez
- Pitched as a high-profile style matchup
- Shakur Stevenson
- Named alongside Garcia as potential opponents for Conor Benn next year
- Competes around 135-140 lbs and has moved toward 147 lbs
- Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz
- Garcia has tipped Cruz as a next opponent
- Cruz said “People would love to see me jump in there and slap Ryan Garcia around”
- Both lost to Gervonta Davis; Cruz lost by scores of 115-113, 115-113, 116-112
- Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero
- Beat Garcia by decision in May 2025
- Garcia served a one-year suspension after the Haney bout before returning against Romero
- Rematches are common after recent losses
- Jake Paul
- Speculation existed about Garcia as a replacement opponent for Paul
- Oscar De La Hoya said Garcia can’t fight Paul due to Golden Boy’s DAZN contract while Paul’s next fight is on Netflix
- Paul has teased smaller boxers including Garcia as options
- Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis
- Knocked out Garcia in the seventh round in April 2023
- Rematch talk resurfaces whenever Garcia is linked to big pay-per-view fights
- Chris Eubank Jr
- Benn beat Eubank Jr in a rematch at middleweight in late 2025
- Benn’s move back to welterweight ties Eubank’s orbit to Garcia through Benn crossover talk
Who knows what will happen Garcia this year.
Conor Benn only called out Ryan Garcia to sign the contract again earlier.
Let’s see what happens Ryan Garcia next up.
