Ryan Garcia, who has struggled with anxiety and depression, has pulled out of a planned fight with Javier Fortuna.

The unbeaten lightweight star was scheduled to face Fortuna on July 9 but he announced on social media that he will be taking some time off. He doesn’t know when he might return to the ring.

“I know this news may be disappointing to some of my fans but I am announcing today that I am withdrawing from my July 9th fight,” Garcia wrote. “At this time it is important to manage my health and well being. I have decided to take some time off to focus on becoming a stronger version of myself.

“I hope to be back soon and am looking forward to stepping back into the ring when I am my healthiest self. I want to Thank God, my family, my doctors and my supporters.”

Garcia has been open about the challenges he faces. He recently wrote on social media: “I still struggle everyday with anxiety and depression at times because of my anxiety. I’m here to tell you it’s still possible to reach your dreams.

“There is ways to cope, I know I look like someone who is happy all the time but inside I hurt at times struggling just to function but I choose to keep moving forward. I love you guys keep going.”

Fortuna’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, told RingTV.com that Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez informed him that Garcia pulled out.

“Eric called me this morning and said [Garcia] has mental health issues and that he decided not fight,” Lewkowicz said. “I have a signed contract, but what do I do with a signed contract? The only thing I need is a solution.

“Maybe he changed his mind about fighting Fortuna. Whatever it is I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) got up from a knockdown to stop Luke Campbell with a body shot in the seventh round to win the WBC “interim” 135-pound title on Jan. 2.

Lewkowicz told RingTV.com that he hopes the WBC strips Garcia of the “interim” title and allow Fortuna to fight someone else for that belt, which would place the winner first in line to face secondary titleholder Devin Haney.

[lawrence-related id=19115]

Ryan Garcia, who has struggled with anxiety and depression, has pulled out of a planned fight with Javier Fortuna.

The unbeaten lightweight star was scheduled to face Fortuna on July 9 but he announced on social media that he will be taking some time off. He doesn’t know when he might return to the ring.

“I know this news may be disappointing to some of my fans but I am announcing today that I am withdrawing from my July 9th fight,” Garcia wrote. “At this time it is important to manage my health and well being. I have decided to take some time off to focus on becoming a stronger version of myself.

“I hope to be back soon and am looking forward to stepping back into the ring when I am my healthiest self. I want to Thank God, my family, my doctors and my supporters.”

Garcia has been open about the challenges he faces. He recently wrote on social media: “I still struggle everyday with anxiety and depression at times because of my anxiety. I’m here to tell you it’s still possible to reach your dreams.

“There is ways to cope, I know I look like someone who is happy all the time but inside I hurt at times struggling just to function but I choose to keep moving forward. I love you guys keep going.”

Fortuna’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, told RingTV.com that Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez informed him that Garcia pulled out.

“Eric called me this morning and said [Garcia] has mental health issues and that he decided not fight,” Lewkowicz said. “I have a signed contract, but what do I do with a signed contract? The only thing I need is a solution.

“Maybe he changed his mind about fighting Fortuna. Whatever it is I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) got up from a knockdown to stop Luke Campbell with a body shot in the seventh round to win the WBC “interim” 135-pound title on Jan. 2.

Lewkowicz told RingTV.com that he hopes the WBC strips Garcia of the “interim” title and allow Fortuna to fight someone else for that belt, which would place the winner first in line to face secondary titleholder Devin Haney.

[lawrence-related id=19115]