Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, believes the Mexican-American is a special fighter. And a young one.
For that reason, Reynoso, who also trains superstar Canelo Alvarez, believes there is no reason to rush his 21-year-old protégé into fights against the likes of Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney.
Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) has stopped his last three opponents — all second-tier fighters — in two, one and one rounds, respectively. In other words, he hasn’t had much work in actual fights over the past year-plus.
“I would like a couple more fights,” Reynoso told ESPN Knockout. “In the last three fights we have fought four rounds. He still needs to learn more, fight with boxers who give him a battle, boxers who are giving him training in the ring.
“We are missing two or three fights, not because he cannot beat them right now. He can beat anyone, in the ring he can beat a champion. But … he lacks a little more experience. And let’s see if this year [that] can be done.”
Reynoso appreciates Garcia’s many qualities and his early accomplishments but said he’s still building a world-class resume.
“As far as I am concerned as a coach, we have not really beaten anyone,” he said. “We have not defeated any world champion, we have not defeated any contender. We have a silver title. The boy is very talented. He also has talent for … writing and he is very charismatic. He has a lot of ability to learn in the ring. It is his way of being. He is a very good boy, he really wants to [learn].
“… But I think we still have a long way to go to become a great champion. He is in a very good moment. We need to learn more, but with discipline. And as he continues he will go a long way.”