RYAN GARCIA claims his former trainer Joe Goosen left him heartbroken and betrayed after teaming up with his opponent Mario Barrios.
Garcia – who was cornered for three fights by Los Angeles based Goosen – challenges for Barrios WBC welterweight world title on February 21 on DAZN PPV.
And he will do so trained by his dad Henry after parting ways with esteemed coach Derrick James.
James had replaced Goosen in the wake of Garcia’s 2023 loss to Gervonta Davis – with the two having three fights together.
But following defeat to Rolly Romero in May – Garcia has parted ways with James and promoted his dad to head trainer for the world title shot.
And in the other corner will be Goosen, who has teamed up with Barrios after the champion left Bob Santos.
Garcia brandished a t-shirt which read “I’m a traitor” and chucked it at Goosen – who threw it back.
And Garcia, 27, said: “How could you, Joe? That’s messed up. I just can’t believe you’re doing this to me. That’s insane. You hurt my heart.
“It’s over. We’re done. I’m breaking up with you again. You just broke my heart. Just move on. You were being sweet but I’m offended.
“It’s too late. I’m offended. I’m offended already, I’m hurt. All of that.”
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Tyson Fury is expected to make his return, Conor Benn is closing in on a world title shot and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora could fight for the 50th and final time and Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Up first we have a massive fight with Stateside superstars Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez meeting later this month in Madison Square Garden.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
January
- Sat 24 – Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz – IBF lightweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson – WBO super-lightweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 31 – Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly – IBF super-welterweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Adam Azim vs Gustavo Lemos – BBC TWO
February
- Sat 7 – Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa – WBA featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios – WBC welterweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 21 – Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington – DAZN
- Sun 22 – Claressa Shields vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn – heavyweight unification – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN
March
Garcia sacked Goosen following his seventh-round stoppage loss to Davis.
James cornered Garcia to victory over Oscar Duarte and initially Devin Haney – until the win was overturned to a no-contest following a failed drug test.
And after returning with defeat to Romero, Garcia has decided to train with his dad Henry, his long-time assistant coach.
And he said: “Joe knows when I’m locked in I’m locked in, so he knows there’s gonna be a real fight.
“I just hope you stop it, but I know Joe’s not the type of guy to stop it. But my prediction is there’s going to be a lot of cuts in this fight but it’s going to be a great fight.”
Barrios, who drew with the returning Manny Pacquiao in July, denied hiring Goosen due to his experience training Garcia.
He said: “No, the fact that he trained Ryan Garcia had nothing to do with it.
“The move to go with Joe, it was going to happen whether this fight happened or not.
“Me and my team felt we needed a change in this last stretch to my career. That was the reason for the move to Joe.”
