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DALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 02: Ryan Garcia celebrates with Oscar de la Hoya after his victory against Luke Campbell for WBC Interim Lightweight Championship at American Airlines Center on January 02, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Hogan/Golden Boy Promotions via Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 02: Ryan Garcia celebrates with Oscar de la Hoya after his victory against Luke Campbell for WBC Interim Lightweight Championship at American Airlines Center on January 02, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Hogan/Golden Boy Promotions via Getty Images)
Ryan Garcia is one of the biggest names in the lightweight division and was on course to get his maiden world title. However, the WBC interim lightweight champion pulled out of his next fight against Javier Fortuna on July 9, citing mental health issues.
After this shocking announcement, the divisional contenders put the trash talk aside. In fact, Teofimo Lopez and Javier Fortuna have shown their class and shared classy messages of support.
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Fortuna was the first to extend his support to Garcia. The 36-2-1 boxer spoke on an Instagram live stream, which ESPN Ringside was quick to catch onto.
READ MORE: Ryan Garcia Makes a Shocking Announcement, Pulls Out of July 9 Fight With Javier Fortuna
Fortuna said, “I wish Ryan a speedy recovery. There are things more important than fighting and I hope he is able to quickly recover. We can reschedule our fight for a time when I can face and beat a 100% prepared version of Garcia.”
This comment from ‘El Abejon’ showed his support to the young fighter during a tough time.
READ MORE: Meet Rylie Garcia – The Daughter of Ryan Garcia
Teofimo Lopez puts aside his rivalry with Ryan Garcia to encourage him
Garcia’s decision to back out directly affected Fortuna. The bout against ‘King Ry’ would have earned him a lucrative payday and a chance to become the WBC interim champion. However, he reminded fans of what is more important. Furthermore, the lightweight champion Lopez did the same.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 14: Teofimo Lopez Jr celebrates after his TKO second round knockout against Richard Commey during their bout for Commey’s IBF lightweight title at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The 16-0 boxer took to his Twitter to share his message to Garcia. He wrote, “It takes a brave soul like Ryan Garcia to openly express that he’s going through tough times mentally. Instead of pointing the finger at him maybe you all should take a lesson from it! We’re all dealing with something so what makes us any better? #LOVEyours”.
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It takes a brave soul like Ryan Garcia to openly express that he's going through tough times mentally. Instead of pointing the finger at him maybe you all should take a lesson from it!
We're all dealing with something so what makes us any better? #LOVEyours
— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) April 24, 2021
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These messages showed that despite all the rivalry in the exciting lightweight division, the boxers respect each other. What do you make of these messages from Javier Fortuna and Teofimo Lopez to Ryan Garcia?
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