Trainer Joe Goossen and boxer Ryan Garcia will find themselves in opposite corners of the ring this Saturday after having once shared the same locker room. Goossen has in fact accepted the role of head coach for WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios and is preparing him to face his former pupil. A truly unusual situation that has even led “King Ry” to call Goossen a “traitor.” What makes the story even more interesting and peculiar is that the American coach already found himself in the very same situation more than twenty years ago.
It was 2003 when Goossen was advising the Cuban Joel Casamayor and helping him defeat the dangerous puncher Diego Corrales by sixth-round TKO. After that fight, the winner dismissed Goossen, who was promptly hired by Corrales, himself eager for a change in technical guidance.
Five months later, Goossen was therefore on the other side of the barricade for the rematch between the two fighters. Once again, his advice proved valuable, because that night Corrales prevailed, winning by split decision.
Today, just as back then, the American trainer rejects any accusation of betrayal. As he confided in a lengthy phone interview with The Ring, Goossen believes his is a profession to be carried out professionally, accepting the calls that come in order to earn a living.
The 72-year-old California coach nevertheless had kind words for his former fighter, acknowledging his dedication and seriousness during the time they worked together and stating that he harbors no animosity toward him, despite Garcia’s decision to end their relationship and accuse him of betrayal.
Although he holds no resentment whatsoever, Goossen is firmly determined to help Barrios accomplish his task and is also optimistic about the final outcome. In his view, the key to the fight will be consistency over the twelve rounds — the ability to conserve energy and freshness until the final bell.
Goossen admitted that Garcia was blessed by Mother Nature with great power, but he also pointed out that such power was devastating in the lower weight classes and that, when moving up in weight, fighters do not always retain the same level of danger. Barrios, in his opinion, is structurally bigger than Garcia and will make that advantage count in the ring.
In less than a week, we will find out whether the veteran coach was right.