The highly anticipated matchup between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia is scheduled to take place tonight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
As amateurs, Haney and ‘KingRy’ faced off six times, with each fighter securing three victories. However, their paths in the professional ranks have diverged.
Devin Haney, known as ‘The Dream,’ boasts an unblemished record of 31-0 as a pro. He has previously held the title of undisputed lightweight champion and currently reigns as the WBC super lightweight champion.
On the other hand, Ryan Garcia, though a formidable contender, has yet to claim a major world title. His most notable accomplishment thus far is winning the WBC interim lightweight title against Luke Campbell in 2021. Garcia’s professional record stands at 24-1, with his sole defeat coming at the hands of Gervonta Davis in April 2023.
Despite the initial billing of the bout as a super lightweight title fight, Garcia will not be eligible to vie for the belt due to missing the divisional weight limit by 3.2 pounds at the weigh-ins.
According to the odds from the DraftKings Sportsbook, Haney enters the contest as a heavy favorite at -900, with Garcia considered the underdog at +600.
Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia
Round 1:
Ryan Garcia began with an aggressive offense, delivering powerful left hooks, one of which notably rocked Devin Haney early on. He followed up with a left uppercut, clearly aiming to conclude the bout swiftly. However, Haney regained his composure, using quick jabs to maintain distance and eventually pushing Garcia back against the ropes. The opening round was dominated by Garcia.
Round 2:
The referee issued a warning against rabbit punches as the second round unfolded. Haney seemed to adapt to Garcia’s strategy, evading his opponent’s heavy left hooks and countering effectively with a right hand over the top. Both fighters displayed restraint, avoiding unnecessary flurries, leading to a more controlled round for Haney.
Round 3:
This round saw Haney and Garcia exchange powerful blows, with each landing significant punches. Haney’s sharp jab particularly put Garcia on notice, and a stunning left hand from Haney marked the first significant shift in momentum, signaling a very competitive round.
Round 4:
Haney stepped up his game, landing solid body shots and controlling the pace. Despite the referee’s warnings about excessive clinching, Haney took a clear lead in this round as Garcia’s output began to wane.
Round 5:
The momentum stayed with Haney, who landed a significant counter right hook, visibly pushing Garcia back. Garcia’s reduced activity allowed Haney to dominate further, punctuating the round with a crisp one-two combination.
Round 6:
Garcia attempted to regain control with a series of flurries, but the round dissolved into periods of low activity. However, a partial connection with a left hook hinted at Garcia’s lingering threat.
Round 7:
A dramatic shift occurred as Garcia knocked down Haney with his signature left hook, marking the first knockdown of Haneyβs career. Although Garcia was penalized for hitting on the break, his aggressive approach visibly shook Haney, despite subsequent slips being ruled out as knockdowns.
Rounds 8-12:
The following rounds featured a mix of aggression from Garcia and resilience from Haney. Garcia’s consistent power punching in the latter rounds, particularly in Round 10, overwhelmed Haney. Despite Haney’s attempts to retaliate, Garcia’s dominance was clear, leading to a majority decision victory.
Official Decision: Ryan Garcia def. Devin Haney via majority decision (112-112, 114-110, 115-109)
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