Ryan Garcia has just shocked the world with a superb performance against Devin Haney. On a night that was as eventful, especially with the buildup behind it, Garcia proved a lot of people wrong. However, despite his win, it is the officiating that has come under heavy scrutiny on the night.
For those unaware, Ryan Garcia triumphed over Devin Haney, seemingly blowing him out of the water with an entertaining performance. Coming into this fight with massive doubts over his mental wherewithal, Garcia proved how it was all seemingly just a ploy to throw his opponent off. On the night, he showed why he should be considered as one of the best boxers in and around his weight class.
Notably, the only shortcoming of the entire fight was the fact that Garcia was ineligible to win Haney’s WBC Super Lightweight title, having come in 3.5 lbs over the limit. As a result, he also had to shell out $1.5 million to ensure that the fight was on. Despite his stellar showing, many have since pointed out how the fight was rife with refereeing mistakes, which made the fight seem less dominant than it really was.
Was Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia marred with refereeing mistakes?
For the most part, the fight got off to an electric start after Ryan Garcia tagged Devin Haney early in the first round. Quite evidently, the game plan from Garcia was to utilize his trusty left hook and go for the knockout. Initially, Haney managed to cope with it and deployed his jab to keep Garcia at a distance. By doing so, he also managed to build a significant lead mid-way into the fight.
However, Rounds 7, 10, and 11 were especially difficult for Haney as he found himself on the receiving end of brutal left hooks that sent the WBC Super Lightweight champ to the canvas. Notably, around the same time, many started to notice how the referee was seemingly working in favor of Haney. According to fans, the official was giving Haney too much time to recover between knockdowns.
He shocked the world 👑@RyanGarcia beats @Realdevinhaney in an instant classic.#HaneyGarcia pic.twitter.com/U3CCR9WRkQ
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 21, 2024
Not only that but Harvey Dock, the referee was also accused of separating Garcia and telling him off for clinching when it was Devin Haney initiating it, trying to hold on. As such, some suggested that the fight could have been called off if not for the referee seemingly refusing to call off the fight. Thus, many hinted that the referee had bet his life savings on Devin, and did everything in his power to keep him from being down for the count.
Fighters and experts react to the referee in Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia
Naturally, some may feel as though Ryan Garcia’s fans were the ones calling out the referee’s mistakes. However, neutral parties soon took to social media to let their thoughts be known. Most notably, some have pointed to how Devin Haney, who was reeling from a knockdown, clinched Garcia, who hit him again to knock him down, but it was given as a slip by the referee.
Not only that but the referee was way too quick to deduct a point from Garcia, who struck Devin throwing a punch after he called for a break. As a result, it negated what was set to be a clear 10-8 Round for Garcia. Thereafter, fighters and experts took to social media to vent their frustration regarding the same:
This Ref must have a bet in
— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) April 21, 2024
This referee must have his money on Haney.
By the way, Ryan Garcia just telling his Dad to stop the fight!
Insane fight!
— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) April 21, 2024
This referee is absolutely terrible. Ryan Garcia drops Haney. He’s hurt as hell, holding into Garcia for dear life, forcing Garcia to punch in the clinch. The ref pauses action to deduct point — no warning. Utter bullshit. Garcia drops Haney again twice — yet ref calls both a…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 21, 2024
In the end, despite the referee’s best attempts to keep the fight going and playing off two knockdowns as slips, Ryan Garcia was able to emerge victorious. Heading into the final decision, many had the scorecards at 112-112, the same as one judge, but the other two had it 114-110, 115-109 for Garcia. Following the fight, both fighters agreed to a rematch down the line, presumable with the WBC Super Lightweight title also up for grabs.