From a psychological standpoint, Ryan Garcia’s knockout loss to Gervonta “Tank” Davis and the PED suspension could have deeply impacted Ryan Garcia’s mental state and self-image during his fight with Rolly Romero.
- Lingering effects from the KO loss to Tank Davis:
A high-profile knockout loss, especially one as brutal and public as Garcia’s against Davis, can leave lasting psychological scars. It can introduce self-doubt, trigger performance anxiety, and affect a fighter’s confidence in their chin, their decision-making, or their ability to execute under pressure. Even if they don’t consciously dwell on the defeat, the memory can resurface subtly—hesitation, fear of failure, or even overcompensation in training and tactics.
- PED use and impostor syndrome:
Testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) adds another complex layer. On one hand, it may suggest Garcia felt he needed an edge to compete at the top level, hinting at insecurity or fear of decline. On the other hand, being caught can tarnish not just his public image but also his self-image. Fighters often tie their identity to being “legitimate” warriors. If Garcia internalized the idea that he couldn’t succeed without chemical help—or feels others now believe that—this could fuel imposter syndrome: the nagging sense that he’s a fraud, undeserving of his platform, and only “playing” a champion. Combined, these factors could erode resilience and clarity in the ring, making him tentative or overly reactive, especially against confident, aggressive opponents like Romero.