The excitement is palpable as Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney gear up for their highly anticipated showdown in Brooklyn, New York, on April 20. The journey to this fight has been anything but typical, with Ryan Garcia, also known as ‘KingRy,’ exhibiting some erratic behavior since the announcement of the fight in February. His actions have included admissions of alcohol and cannabis use during press conferences and making alarming claims of being kidnapped and witnessing horrific events.
Garcia’s unpredictable conduct has led to widespread speculation about the fight’s certainty, with many expecting him to either pull out or be pulled from the event. Despite these concerns, Eddie Hearn, Haney’s co-promoter, has clarified the complexities involved in canceling a fight. In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Hearn emphasized the contractual difficulties of removing a fighter, stating, “You can’t pull someone out of a fight, contractually. If you’re my fighter and I think you’re not right and I come up to you and say, ‘I think we should delay this fight.’ And he goes, ‘Are you joking? I’m f**king ready.’ You can’t just pull him out.”
The original bout was set to be a contest for the WBC super lightweight title; however, after Garcia missed weight by over three pounds, the fight has been reclassified as a non-title event. Despite Garcia’s unconventional approach to the fight’s buildup, Hearn has not dismissed him as a serious contender. He acknowledges that Garcia still possesses the essential attributes—speed and power—to pose a significant threat to Haney, also known as ‘The Dream.’
Garcia, the Mexican-American boxer, is brimming with confidence about his prospects in the upcoming match. He has boldly shared his strategy and outcome prediction for the fight, stating, “It’s gonna be a good first round, maybe feel him out, see what he’s got going [on]. Then start touching him, then all of a sudden, 30 seconds I’ma drop him. Let his a** get back up, then second round I’m gonna knock him the f**k out.”
As the fight night approaches, there is a question that remains on the minds of boxing enthusiasts: Will Ryan Garcia’s failure to make weight be an advantage for him in the ring? Only time will tell as the boxing community eagerly awaits the outcome of this clash between two rising stars of the sport.
