Ryan Garcia capped off an eventful evening with a superb performance against Devin Haney. Despite all odds, the fighter managed to prove everyone wrong and emerge victorious on the night. However, fans and many others couldn’t help but notice a clear difference in the fighter.
For those unaware, Ryan Garcia took on Devin Haney this past weekend at the Barclays Center in New York. Throughout the buildup, there was a lot of talk regarding Garcia and his mental state owing to some delirious and schizophrenic behavior on social media. However, as proven by him on Saturday night, it was all just a very elaborate ruse.
As for the fight itself, Ryan completely outgunned his opponent, leaving him holding on for dear life at times. Thus, despite the referee seemingly trying his best to keep Devin Haney in the fight, the WBC Super Lightweight champion succumbed to a 112-112, 114-110, 115-109. majority decision. Seeing that Garcia had missed weight for the fight, it is expected that the contest will take place once again in the future.
Fans point out the difference in Ryan Garcia’s physique against Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis
Coming into the fight, Devin Haney was a big favorite, not just due to questions over Ryan Garcia’s mental stability, but also his ability against the top dogs in the sport. Previously, Garcia had suffered his first career loss at the hands of Gervonta Davis last year. Thus, many took it as an indication of how he would fare against Haney as well.
On the night, it was anything but the case as Ryan got a strong foothold from the get-go, tagging Haney with a sharp left hook that left him dazed. Thereafter, he also scored a total of three knockdowns in Rounds 7, 10, and 11, with two more that were labeled as ‘slips’ by the referee. In comparison, Garcia was knocked down in Round 2 and then in Round 7 against Gervonta Davis, unable to beat the count for the latter.
That weight cut hit Ryan Garcia HARD last year vs Gervonta Davis 😳
“Tank won’t fight me because I’m moving up. I’m going 147, I can’t f*cking make 140” pic.twitter.com/QuUG93HSnZ
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) April 21, 2024
I’ve been saying Ryan only lost because he was drained for the longest.
— franciscoAgoat 🐐💯 (@franciscoagoat) April 21, 2024
All these people saying Ryan Garcia was drained when he fought Gervonta Davis like it wasn’t his OWN choice move up or down in weight.
Its not Tank fault all the welterweights killing they bodies for size advantages chasing him for pay days and he not letting them blow up 20lbs pic.twitter.com/Wp5g142uOt
— NUKE 🥊 (@NukeUndisputed) April 21, 2024
I wholeheartedly believe that Gervonta Davis would have beaten Ryan Garcia even without the rehydration clause but this is the problem with boxing…
IF YOU ARE THAT MUCH BETTER THAN THE GUY THEN WHY DO YOU NEED THE CLAUSE
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey2) April 21, 2024
Ryan Garcia should rematch Gervonta Davis. He was to mentally stable in the first fight. This unhinged version probably does a better job. #HaneyGarcia pic.twitter.com/2ypXhuuxzT
— Owie Davidson (@LuckIsForLoserz) April 21, 2024
As such, fans have pointed to the stark difference in his appearance for both fights. For the Haney fight, Ryan weighed 143 lbs, likely coming in at 160 lbs on fight night. On the other hand, the rehydration clause meant that Garcia could only get up to 146 lbs for his catchweight bout against Davis. As a result, he looked severely depleted and a husk of the man he was against Haney.
Not only that, but they also had a lot to say about a rematch with Tank in the future. Whilst either fighter has fans making a case for them, the general consensus is that the fight should happen. However, considering what Ryan and Oscar De La Hoya had to say, it will be a complicated feat to pull off.
How would Ryan Garcia fare in a rematch against Gervonta Davis with no rehydration clause?
For the most part, Ryan Garcia’s loss against Gervonta Davis cannot simply be attributed to him being depleted in weight or even the rehydration clause. On the night, Davis was the better boxer and landed punishing shots on Garcia. That said, had Ryan been a more filled-out version of himself the way he was against Oscar Duarte or Devin Haney, then he would have been able to put up a much better fight.
That said, it is very difficult to call how a potential rematch between the two would play out. Either way, Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have already made their thoughts known about a rematch against ‘Tank’ down the line:
“I don’t think Tank’s gonna beat Frank Martin, but if he did, he wouldn’t fight me, ’cause I’m moving up. I’m not doing 140, I’m going 147, I can’t make f***ing 140. I never even technically fought at 140, I fought every time at 143, my body can’t literally go lower than 143, it’s impossible.”
Further, De La Hoya added on by saying: “The only way he’s gonna fight Tank Davis is a catchweight, at (1)45. Just the way they did it to him. Now he (Ryan) is the man, he’s the face of boxing.”
All things considered, the rematch between Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis would make for a blockbuster PPV. However, before that ‘KingRy’ will have his eyes set on Sebastian Fundora and the rematch against Devin Haney. In the meantime, Davis will have his hands full against Frank Martin.