“When I first met Ryan, I saw not just a boxing champ but someone with a real passion for music,” Deion Sanders Jr. once said. This mix of athletic talent and musical interest has led Ryan Garcia to dive into the music industry with his new single Blessed, Highly Favored closely following Sanders Jr who had also dived deep into the music and entertainment industry with his first studio album Gideon.

Sanders Jr., famous for his vibrant social media presence and creative ventures, has always encouraged athletes to pursue their interests beyond sports. Inspired by Sanders Jr.’s journey, Garcia decided to combine his boxing skills with his love for music, stepping confidently into the music world.

With new music, Garcia follows in Sanders Jr’s footsteps

Sanders Jr. has always been an icon, just like his father. This is rooted in his own experiences as he successfully transitioned from playing college football to becoming a prominent figure in music and media. Some of his well-known hits consist of Money Old, Kandy, and Rfr. His father, Deion Sanders, known for his “Prime Time” persona, has also been influential in promoting a varied career approach, solidifying Sanders Jr’ approach to his career as well.

One instance highlighting Sanders Jr.’s respect for Garcia was when he and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III celebrated Garcia’s victory over Devin Haney. Sanders Jr. states, “The whole world was sleeping on bro.” Expressing his admiration for Garcia’s performance and highlighting the positive growth of Garcia’s career.

Garcia and Sanders Jr. first connected during the Colorado Buffaloes’ Spring Game, where Sanders Jr. invited Garcia, marking the beginning of their friendship. This connection was further stepped up during their trip to Las Vegas, where they bonded over some fun nights spent partying. Following this, in an interview, Garcia mentioned, “Deion has always been someone I look up to. His creativity and drive push me to explore different avenues in my career“. But is music next the next step for him?

Is music the new direction for Ryan?

Following his impressive win against Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia surprised his fans by releasing his new single “Blessed, Highly Favored,” which quickly garnered significant attention online. Ralph Canono directed the music video, which showcases Garcia’s charismatic presence, gripping both fans and critics.

Garcia’s fans overwhelmingly supported his music venture. Fellow boxer and influencer Jake Paul danced to Garcia’s new single on an Instagram story, indicating the growing acceptance of Garcia’s new direction in the entertainment industry. “Bro has an insane promo run,” commented one fan, appreciating Garcia’s relentless promotion and music quality​.

However, some fans criticized Garcia, urging him to focus more on his boxing career due to concerns over divided attention. Yet Garcia sees this as proof of his ability to balance multiple interests successfully. With this newfound muse, Ryan is sure to shock fans more in the near future with harder hits in music and on his opponents.