WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia issued a stark warning to women navigating social media: exercise caution when encountering individuals claiming to be professional boxers.
The 28-year-old fighter addressed the topic during an open workout session this week as he prepares for his highly anticipated match against Conor Benn. Garcia's comments came in response to questions about Daejon Love, who allegedly defrauded 26 women out of $1.3 million while posing as a San Francisco 49ers player.
According to Garcia, boxing presents unique opportunities for imposters because the sport lacks the same verification barriers found in other professional athletics.
"It's easier to lie that you're a boxer because literally anybody can be a boxer," Garcia told TMZ Sports.
The champion revealed he has personally witnessed individuals fabricating boxing credentials on social media platforms. He described encountering what he termed pathological liars making false claims about competitive achievements.
"Yeah, of course. The pathological liars. Like, 'I won Golden Gloves.' No, you didn't. I know you didn't," Garcia told TMZ Sports.
Garcia emphasized his ability to detect deception, stating that initial instincts about dishonesty typically prove accurate. He expressed bewilderment at how the alleged victims in the Love case fell for the scheme, noting that the claims made were outlandish.
"It's just hilarious, bro. I don't know how the girls fell for that. Like, he was saying the craziest things. And, I don't know, that's one of the funniest stories, bro. The memes are crazy," Garcia told TMZ Sports.
Beyond the scandal discussion, Garcia addressed his upcoming fight with Benn, which takes place approximately one week from now and represents one of the most anticipated boxing matches of the year. When asked about his opponent's muscular physique displayed on social media, Garcia dismissed any concerns, noting the contest involves boxing skill rather than bodybuilding.
Garcia also previewed a potential future unification bout with Teofimo Lopez. Last month, Lopez indicated interest in facing the winner of the Garcia-Benn fight following his victory over Rolly Romero, though he declined a rematch. Garcia expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious against Benn and be ready for such a matchup.
The fighter's comments highlight growing concerns about identity fraud in the digital age, particularly as social media enables individuals to craft false personas with limited accountability. Garcia's warning serves as a reminder that professional athletic credentials require verification beyond social media profiles and self-proclaimed achievements.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
