Ryan Garcia had mapped out a string of major fights to build on an impressive 2026, culminating in becoming undisputed welterweight world champion.
To repeat the feat that Terence Crawford achieved in 2023 with his win over Errol Spence Jr., Garcia must collect the IBF, WBA and WBO belts.
The 28-year-old won the WBC title earlier this year by beating Mario Barrios, and marked his first defence with a second-round stoppage against Conor Benn.
Given his tense rivalry with WBO champion Devin Haney, Garcia sees that fight as the last piece of the puzzle. Haney has a unification bout set against the IBF’s Liam Paro on December 19.
To set up a four-belt clash, Garcia had entered early talks with WBA champion Teofimo Lopez, with a February date in mind before the winner faced the winner of Haney-Paro in the summer.
Those plans have been at the very least set back, as the WBA has confirmed that regular champion Jack Catterall is due his mandatory shot at Lopez next.
The champion – who won the belt from Rolando Romero – now has ten days to strike a deal with Catterall before purse bids are called.
Garcia will likely push ahead with his fight at the beginning of 2027, having already missed out on a desired December date to keep active. He recently claimed that he will be fighting Floyd Mayweather, though many fans will remain sceptical given Mayweather’s recent form of announcing fights and not following through.
