- Tarrian Rodgers
Ryan Garcia scores 3 knockdowns and shocks the world by defeating Devin Haney
Ryan Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) was a lightning rod for controversy in his fight build up with longtime rival and current 140-pound champion Devin Haney (31-1,15 KOS). Garcia did everything by setting social media ablaze with sending daily cryptic tweets. Which caused the world to really question Garcia’s mental health. As of Friday going into the fight Garcia even came in over the 140-pound weight limit meaning Haney’s 140 WBC junior welterweight belt wasn’t up for grabs. Garcia was a major underdog and virtually counted out entering Saturday evenings fight.
However, come fight night none of these things mattered as Garcia silenced every critic that doubted him as he was able to frustrate Haney the entire night with his speed and power. "I don't give a f--- what people say about me. I walked through the fire and still held it down and still beat f---ing Devin Haney and still drink every day," said Garcia, 25. "Not necessarily am I proud of that, but I'm just saying it was a statement to show you, you guys can't really f--- with me."
The fight was extremely action packed. Garcia set the pace early by landing a hard left hook that stung Haney. Haney quickly recuperated and went on to outbox Garcia over the next four rounds. Even wobbling Garcia in Round 3 with a right hand while Garcia boxed off a back foot and looked for another counter left hook that would change the fight. In Round 7 Garcia was able to find that hard left which floored Haney and it was the first time Haney has been knocked down in 32 pro fights. Moments after the knockdown. Garcia crushed Haney with a right hand on the break and was deducted one point by referee Harvey Dock.
The deduction paid dividends when the scorecards came out as one judge scored the bout 112-112 but was overruled by scores of 114-110 and 115-109 for Garcia. "It was a horrible ref," said Garcia Haney] was holding me for dear life, and I felt an opportunity to keep swinging while my hands were free and I cracked him. And then he took a point away when I cracked him, but [Haney] held me and then I should have knocked him out in that seventh round. They stole that from me. ... And Devin was holding and holding and holding. ... That was ridiculous. That was crazy. I never seen some s--- like that."
The following round, Garcia landed his money punch again, a counter left hook which launched back to the canvas. Somehow, he sprung back up, his cheeks badly swollen, his mouth bloody. Garcia went for the finish, but Haney was able to weather the storm and not quit. However, it leaves what's next for the champion truly in question. "I'm disappointed about my performance," said Haney during his post-fight interview. "I [showed I] was a true champion and I could fight after being knocked down. "He caught me early when I was sleeping on him," he added. "He caught me by surprise. I fell asleep on the left hook. ... I gave him a shot. It's only right he gives me a shot back."
A rematch between the two seems pretty unlikely due to the fact that Garcia has said he doesn’t believe his body can make 140 anymore he stated his desire to move up to 147 and even mentioned a possible bout at 154 with current champion Sebastian Fundora. Haney is still champion at 140 unless the two meet later on at a higher division or a catchweight. It seems like Garcia will likely move up and enjoy his moment that so many felt was possible.
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