Ryan Garcia and Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela are set to collide in what promises to be one of the biggest fights of 2025. The two boxing stars agreed to a 145-lb catchweight bout during a live Instagram conversation, with the fight scheduled after Garcia’s suspension expires in April 2025. This highly anticipated matchup has boxing fans buzzing, as both fighters are eager to prove themselves on the pay-per-view stage.
Ryan Garcia Targets Major Pay-Per-View Event
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), fresh off his high-profile victory over Devin Haney in April 2024, has been riding a wave of fame. However, his win was overshadowed by a positive test for the banned substance Ostarine, which resulted in a suspension. Garcia, who maintains his innocence, is wasting no time in setting up his next big fight. A rematch with Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) would be a fan favorite, but Garcia is shifting his focus to Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs), the newly crowned WBA light welterweight champion.
“Rayo is a champion, and I think this fight will be huge,” Garcia said. “We’re two Mexican fighters who have proven people wrong in the ring. I beat someone no one thought I could, and so did he. I think this fight will do big numbers on pay-per-view.”
Mutual Respect Fuels Rivalry
Despite the competitive nature of their upcoming bout, Garcia and Valenzuela expressed mutual respect for each other during their IG Live conversation. Valenzuela earned his belt with a surprise win over Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, and Garcia acknowledged the magnitude of the accomplishment.
“You’re a champion, and you beat someone that people didn’t think you could,” Garcia said. “I also beat someone no one thought I could. We’re both underdogs, and I think this fight will be massive.”
Valenzuela echoed the sentiment, agreeing that their matchup will captivate fans. “Two Mexican fighters going at it—this fight will be huge,” Valenzuela said. “Let’s make it happen.”
The Road Ahead: April 2025
With his suspension ending in April 2025, Garcia has plenty of time to prepare for the showdown with Valenzuela. Walking around at 175 lbs, Garcia admitted he’ll need to cut weight, but he feels confident that 145 lbs will be the perfect weight for the fight. Valenzuela, currently at 160 lbs, agreed to the catchweight, setting the stage for an explosive clash.
As the two warriors prepare for what could be a career-defining fight, boxing fans are already anticipating a high-stakes showdown that could dominate the 2025 pay-per-view landscape.
