Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia are finally set to trade blows on the big stage. A matchup that has gone through a lot of twists and turns to finally materialize, is now only a few days away. With that said the two boxers explain how the fight has been years in the making.
For those unaware, it was previously revealed by Ryan Garcia that he would be opting to fight Devin Haney next. However, as Garcia stated, Floyd Mayweather suggested he fight Rolly Romero instead, who he felt was a bigger draw than Devin Haney. In the end, Ryan left the decision up to his fans, who unanimously picked Haney as his next opponent.
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In hindsight, the fight is a big opportunity for Garcia and better considering what Pitbull Cruz was able to do to Romero recently. Not only that, Ryan reportedly stands to make a lot of money and a chance to win Haney’s WBC Super Lightweight title. Added to that is their decades-long rivalry which originated in their amateur boxing days, resulting in the perfect boxing blockbuster matchup.
Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia talk about their amateur boxing days
For the most part, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia’s fight is more of an eventuality than anything. Seeing that they’ve grown up as rivals, their matchup on the big stage was destined to happen one way or another. However, coming into this one, some would suggest that Garcia, who is not a champion, is getting the fight based on his name rather than in-ring accomplishments.
In a recent interview with GQ Sports, the two boxers had a simulated face-to-face, which was recorded individually, seeing as they were not too keen on being in the same room together. However, the conversation was put together in a way that made it seem that the two athletes were speaking to each other.
Speaking about how they first met, Devin Haney states, “We were like about 9, maybe 10 (years old). We fought in the Junior Golden Gloves, and Ryan had a lot more experience than me.” According to Ryan, the fight was ‘easy work’. “He (Devin) was a kid, he was just starting out, he didn’t have as much experience as me. I beat him” However, over time, Devin started getting much better and beating many others in the scene.
“I don’t think Ryan has got much better since the amateurs. Of course, he got bigger, of course, he got stronger but for the most part, his style is very similar. He has the same mistakes that he had when we were kids.”
Over the years, Haney and Garcia have fought on numerous occasions, and according to the WBC Super Lightweight champ, he was one of the few to have beaten ‘KingRy’. With that said Devin has also made the bold claim that Garcia has made no improvements to his style since the amateur days and continues to make the same mistakes he did back then.
Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia’s rivalry leading up to the fight
All things considered, Devin Haney has done well to continue his success from the amateur leagues and go on to become a world champion, something Ryan has yet to accomplish. As for Haney, he has held world championships in two different weight classes. Previously, the 25-year-old was the undisputed lightweight champion from 2022 to August 2023.
Currently, ‘The Dream’ holds the WBC Super Lightweight title, which he claimed after dethroning Regis Prograis at 140 lbs. On the other hand, Ryan Garcia has only held the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim lightweight title in 2021. Having suffered a brutal loss at the hands of Gervonta Davis, Garcia made his comeback against Oscar Duarte. Now, he will be challenging for Haney’s title based on his name and the attention he can garner.
Since their amateur days, both boxers have likely come a long way. According to the records, Devin and Ryan have faced each other on four separate occasions. As such, their tie is set at 2-2, meaning that there is a score to be settled between the two. Coming into this one, Haney will have to carry the burden of being a champion and undefeated, whilst Ryan has a singular loss to his name, and everything to gain from this fight.