Roy Jones Jr. Named Ryan Garcia Face of Boxing
The veteran boxer crowned Ryan Garcia as the sport’s new face following a dominant title defense.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Boxing
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Roy Jones Jr. has identified Ryan Garcia as the new face of boxing after Garcia successfully defended his WBC welterweight title. Garcia secured his position after defeating Conor Benn by knockout in just two rounds.
Why it matters
This shift in status reflects a changing of the guard in the sport as veteran stars like 36-year-old Canelo Alvarez continue their careers. Garcia is now positioning himself for major unification bouts to cement his standing at the top of the division.
Ryan Garcia recently defeated Conor Benn in two rounds to defend his WBC welterweight title. He has previously defeated Mario Barrios and is now weighing potential unification matches against Devin Haney, Liam Paro, and Teofimo Lopez.
The players
Roy Jones Jr.
He is a legendary former professional boxer known for winning world titles in multiple weight classes.
Ryan Garcia
He is the current WBC welterweight champion who has recently solidified his status in the division.
Canelo Alvarez
He is a 36-year-old boxing superstar who has captured world championships in four different weight classes.
Isaac Cruz
He is a professional boxer who recently won the WBC super lightweight title by defeating Lamont Roach Jr.
Teofimo Lopez
He is a prominent professional boxer currently involved in mandated competitive bouts.
The details
Following his victory over Benn, Garcia is exploring high-profile unification fights to further his legacy. He has expressed interest in facing Isaac Cruz twice, while other champions like Teofimo Lopez are currently tied up in mandatory bouts, such as the one recently ordered against Jack Catterall.
Timeline
Last weekend saw Isaac Cruz defend his belt against Nestor Bravo.
Tuesday marked the day Teofimo Lopez was ordered to fight Jack Catterall.
In 2026, Canelo Alvarez did not compete on traditional holiday dates.
Season Trajectory
This announcement signals a departure from the era defined by Canelo Alvarez, who has won world titles in four weight classes. The shift refocuses the sport on rising stars like Garcia who are actively seeking unification bouts to define their own championship legacy.
Garcia holds the WBC welterweight title, setting the stage for lucrative unification bouts against Devin Haney, Liam Paro, or Teofimo Lopez. The potential fight with Isaac Cruz remains the most significant development to watch for in upcoming scheduling.
The takeaway
Boxing fans should monitor the upcoming negotiations for a potential Garcia-Cruz bout to see if it becomes the next major pay-per-view event. As the division evolves, the pursuit of unification matches will likely determine which fighter maintains the top spot in the sport.
Further reading
For more on the latest matchups and rankings, visit our Boxing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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