Ryan Garcia has lashed out at Michael Jordan, questioning the basketball legend’s impact outside of the sport. During a segment for ‘sneaker complex shopping’, Garcia expressed his dismissive view of the iconic ‘Jordans’ shoes, emphasizing his disappointment with Jordan’s off-court contributions.
“Nah, Jordan ain’t do…[nothin]for the people. Jordan made some shoes. I don’t give a…[damn]about no 6 rings, I care about what you did outside the court,” Garcia stated.
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever, boasts an impressive resume. He helped the Chicago Bulls win three NBA Championships in a row starting in 1991 and secured a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992. After a brief retirement following his father’s murder in 1993, Jordan returned to the NBA and led the Bulls to another three consecutive titles.
Outside of basketball, Jordan’s ‘Jordans’ shoes have become a cultural phenomenon. Despite his commercial success, Jordan has supported 15 charities, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis, and CharitaBulls. However, Garcia believes Jordan could have leveraged his influence more effectively for social causes.
In contrast, Garcia has recently used his platform to address child trafficking issues, particularly in the lead-up to his fight with Devin Haney. He claimed to be working with Congress to combat the problem and continued to highlight the issue even after his victory over Haney, despite mixed reactions from the public.
https://x.com/HappyPunch/status/1802786919631515968
Garcia’s outspoken nature and controversial statements have often placed him under scrutiny. After defeating Haney, he tested positive for Ostarine in two VADA tests, which led to criticism and speculation about his integrity. While his hair follicle sample was negative, the supplements he used tested positive for Ostarine, though they were unsealed and not from the same lot/manufacturer, leaving room for doubt.
Garcia’s recent comments and actions have sparked debates within the boxing community about his behavior and public image. If he wants to continue calling out high-profile figures like Michael Jordan, Garcia will need to address these issues and prove his commitment to his causes and career.