As anticipation mounts for the WBC super lightweight title bout between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya offered insights into the psychological warfare unfolding between the two fighters.
De La Hoya, present as Haney pushed Garcia atop the Empire State Building, suggested that Garcia’s antics were rattling his opponent.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, De La Hoya emphasized Garcia’s role as the “cash cow” and the driving force behind the anticipated sell-out crowd at Barclays Center. He credited Garcia for elevating the fight’s profile through his psychological tactics, likening them to those employed by Floyd Mayweather.
Oscar De La Hoya Analyzes Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney’s Showdown Ahead of WBC Super Lightweight Title Bout*
“Devin Haney pushing Ryan at the Empire State Building when they meet. I’ve never seen that from Devin. I think he’s a little rattled. So, Ryan’s doing something that only he knows he’s doing and he’s getting under his skin… Just like [Floyd] Mayweather would get under everybody’s skin, I think Ryan took a page out of Mayweather’s book,” De La Hoya remarked.
Oscar De La Hoya thinks Ryan Garcia's behavior has Devin Haney "a little rattled" and he's "under his skin."
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The history between Garcia and Haney adds another layer of intrigue to their showdown, having faced each other six times in the amateur ranks with a balanced record of three wins each. Now, with the WBC super lightweight title at stake, they aim to settle the score in the professional arena.
De La Hoya’s expectations for the bout are sky-high, predicting it to be one of the top-ten pay-per-view events of all time. He lauded Garcia’s promotional prowess and ability to generate buzz, citing his past success on pay-per-view against Gervonta Davis.
Garcia’s lone pay-per-view outing against Davis garnered significant attention, with 1.2 million buys, showcasing his ability to draw viewers. As he prepares to face Haney for the WBC super lightweight title, Garcia aims to replicate that success and solidify his status as a boxing sensation.
With both fighters poised to make a statement inside the ring and Garcia’s promotional acumen driving interest, the stage is set for a blockbuster event that could redefine boxing.
