Ryan Garcia withdraws from Fortuna fight, cites 'health and well-being'

WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia is withdrawing from his July 9 title fight against Javier Fortuna, he announced Saturday.

"I am announcing today that I am withdrawing from my July 9 fight," he wrote in an Instagram post. "At this time, it is important to manage my health and well-being. I have decided to take some time off to focus on becoming a stronger version of myself."

Sampson Lewkowicz, Fortuna's promoter, revealed that Garcia chose not to fight due to mental health issues. In March, the 22-year-old opened up about his struggles with anxiety and depression.

"(Golden Boy president Eric Gomez) called me this morning and said (Garcia) has mental health issues and that he decided not to fight," Lewkowicz told Fight Freaks Unite on Saturday, according to Dan Rafael.

"At the end of the day, your health is what truly matters," Lewkowicz added, according to BoxingScene.com. "I commend Ryan Garcia for having the courage to admit he needs to focus on his life away from the ring. We will be ready to reschedule when he is and our whole team wishes him well."

Fortuna also extended his best wishes to Garcia.

"There are things more important than fighting, and I hope he is able to quickly recover," the WBC's No. 2-ranked lightweight said, per BoxingScene. "We can reschedule our fight for a time when I can face and beat a 100% prepared version of Ryan Garcia."

Garcia won the WBC interim lightweight belt with a knockout win over Luke Campbell in January. Last month, the WBC ordered him to defend it against Fortuna, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger to WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney.

The California native has won all 21 of his professional fights, with 18 of those victories - including his last five - coming via knockout.