Ryan Garcia slapped his Hall-of-Famer ex-trainer Joe Goossen to join rival Mario Barrios ahead of their WBC welterweight title fight scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
During the introductory press conference, the 27-year-old professional American boxer used the story of “alleged betrayal” and described his former trainer as “a traitor”.
The social media influencer, accompanied by her father coach Henry, threw a shirt with the word “traitor” printed on the back at her former coach.
When asked if he was truly heartbroken over Barrios being coached by Goossen, Garcia shared a sly smile without saying anything.
In an interview with CBS Newssaid the boxer, “I’m going to rip this guy’s head off and I’m going to beat him badly in front of Goossen.”
He added that it motivates him to “whip his opponent’s a** more just to show that I don’t care who trains him.”
For those unfamiliar, Goossen, 72, worked with Garcia as his head coach for three consecutive bouts before parting ways in 2023.
Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) and Goossen parted ways on good terms; however, industry rumors suggest that the former WBC interim lightweight titleholder has never really bought into Goossen’s teaching.
Garcia will face Barrios for a pay-per-view headliner at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday at 7:55 PM ET.
