Bernard Hopkins Says Ryan Garcia Always Looks To Prove Doubters Wrong

Bernard Hopkins likes the way Ryan Garcia responds to negativity.

Garcia is scheduled for a showdown with Luke Campbell on Saturday night, January 2. The bout will be contested for the interim WBC Lightweight Championship. It’ll be held inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Hopkins, who promotes Garcia under Golden Boy Promotions, spoke to BoxingScene.com and discussed how Garcia thrives in the face of negativity.

“Ryan is hearing that clearly. He listens to his fans and his haters. Ryan needs that kind of conversation with people telling him what he can’t do—he’s too pretty, he’s skinny, he’s not a big puncher. But he’s an accurate puncher. The last time I spoke to a lot of people that have been knocked out, they didn’t see the punch coming. That’s what knocked them out – the one you don’t see coming and can’t prepare for.”

Hopkins said Garcia’s mindset reminds him of his fighting days where he developed thick skin.

“He uses a lot of the negativity and just as well proving to his fans that he’s the best. I think both things will help him, not hurt him. It reminds me of my days when I used to do things and say things to get under people’s skin, and when they thought they got under my skin.”

Garcia will put his unbeaten record on the line when he meets Campbell. He brings with him a record of 20-0 with 17 knockouts along the way.