Major American fighter with 83% knockout ratio says he rejected $20m to fight Jake Paul

Ryan Garcia is hoping to secure a world title showdown with Mario Barrios early next year and that is a big reason why he said no to a lucrative showdown with Jake Paul next month. 

Paul made several enquiries to multiple elite fighters after his bout with Gervonta Davis was postponed, but it was Anthony Joshua who got the fight and that will take place on December 19. 

Earlier this year, Garcia’s record took a significant hit when he was dropped and outpointed by Rolly Romero in New York in one of the year's biggest shocks . 

Since then, Garcia has been linked to several comeback fights, but it looks like he will finally return to the ring in the first quarter of 2026 when he goes for welterweight glory against Barrios. 

But if Gwynne stops him in his tracks and delivers a first career loss, it could prove to be a serious blow for his ambitions of picking up a domestic or major belt.

This past summer, Barrios was held to a draw by a returning Manny Pacquiao, but the result meant that he would retain his WBC title. 

Garcia is expected to begin the fight against Barrios a decent favourite, and if he can get past his fellow American, he would be willing to entertain a future fight with Paul dependant on some conditions due to the size difference between the pair. 

“I didn't take the Jake Paul fight because I had the Barrios fight lined up, so I showed you. I had $20 million offered,” said Garcia when speaking to Covers.com . 

"I went with Barrios for less, so that's to show you right now, I'm not even worried about that right now. And that's a stupid matchup [for me]. He's 220 pounds, for damn's sake. What are we talking about? I'm not going to let this dude think he's that good because he's a heavyweight and trying to fight 135-pounders.  

"People are not going to think I'm good unless I knock him out. How am I going to knock out a 220-pound dude that somewhat knows how to box? Yeah, I could catch them, but they're trying to fight with 12-ounce gloves.

"I'm trying to fight with 8-ounce. Let me have 8-ounce. You could have 12-ounce. That's fair. You got the weight, I get the four ounces in gloves."

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