Undisputed Controversy or Agreement? The Impact of Ryan Garcia's Removal on Boxing Game

Imagine it: October 11, 2024. Everyone's buzzing as "Undisputed" drops. As a boxing fan, I was hyped to jump into the action. But then, one week before 'Undisputed' is released- bam! Ryan Garcia, the boxing villian on social media who kept world star talking boxing got kicked out of the game. It felt like getting sucker-punched.

Why, you ask? Turns out, Ryan Garcia was expelled from all WBC activities after Mauricio Suliman the president of WBC announced that Garcia had made racial and discriminatory remarks on social media. The decision echoed into the gaming world as well, removing his likeness from "Undisputed." This had me frustrated, and torn.

As a fan who daydreams of orchestrating fantasy matchups, the loss of Ryan's character is a gut punch. Imagine the thrill of matching him against Teofimo Lopez, or watching him attempt a rematch with Devin Haney. What about his electrifying bouts against fighters like Gervonta Tank Davis or Shakur Stevenson? Those imagined clashes now lay in the realm of 'what could've been. Why didn't the game developers simply reduce Ryan Garcia's power, stamina, strength, and skill levels, essentially lowering his stats to make him an easier fighter to beat? Was King Ry created as a highly skilled fighter with all "Undisputed" champion attributes on the game? 

The boxing crowd is divided. Lots of fans, like me, are scratching their heads over Suliman's influence. Shouldn't games be about exploring all the possibilities? A space where dream fights happen, ignoring real-world limits? But nope, reality's got its grip.

Then, there are folks backing his removal. They say that until Ryan faces his supposed use of ostarine or owns up to his words, kicking him out is fair.  

For now, on October 11th the "Undisputed" bell will ring, and the match continues without King Ry. Maybe this is a moment to reflect on the intersection of sportsmanship and responsibility, of character in and out of the ring. As I lace up my virtual gloves, there's hope — hope that one day we can balance the scales between love for the sport and the values it stands for.