Garcia last fought in May when he faced Rolando Romero at the historic Times Square Ring Magazine event in an attempt to get his career back on track following the controversy surrounding his meeting with Devin Haney last year. 

Instead Garcia underperformed in what was a forgettable fight. Knocked down in the second round, Romero would go on to beat Garcia by unanimous decision, further derailing a comeback for 'King Ry'. 

Since the Romero loss, Garcia has undergone surgery on his right hand meaning a fight before the end of year is looking unlikely. 

In an interview with Ariel Helwani, De La Hoya gave an update on Garcia's return and expressed his desire for his fighter to face a top-level name, 

"Right now, I don’t know if Ryan is still going through rehab for his hand or shoulder," De La Hoya said.

"There are fight talks. I would want him to fight the very best, again.

"I would love to see him up there against one of the top champions, there’s no tune-ups here anymore, not at this level."

While De La Hoya was happy to discuss Garcia, this interview took place with the backdrop of an ongoing feud between the pair with the two frequently engaging in heated exchanges on social media. 

Responding with "Hopefully" after being asked whether Garcia will fight in the first half of 2026, De La Hoya then criticised Garcia and his team who he claims are painting him out to be 'the bad guy' in this promoter-fighter relationship. 

"I think people have been talking in his ear for so long, it’s really embedded in his brain that I’m the bad guy."

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