In a gripping night of boxing in Brooklyn, New York, American fighter Ryan Garcia delivered a stunning performance, flooring compatriot Devin Haney three times on his way to a dramatic majority points victory.
Garcia’s left hook proved to be his greatest weapon, as he sent the previously undefeated world champion Haney to the canvas in the seventh, 10th, and 11th rounds of the thrilling encounter.
Despite a tight contest, with scorecards reading 112-112, 114-110, and 115-109, it was Garcia who emerged victorious, capturing the attention of fans worldwide with his electrifying display.
However, Garcia’s triumph did not come without controversy, as he failed to make weight for the bout, resulting in him being ineligible to claim Haney’s WBC light-welterweight title.
Addressing his critics after the fight, Garcia exclaimed, “You really thought I was crazy? You all lost your own minds,” in response to the scrutiny he faced leading up to the event.
The 25-year-old Californian, who boasts a record of 25 wins and one defeat, silenced his detractors with a remarkable performance, dealing Haney his first professional loss in 32 bouts.
Reflecting on his performance, a visibly marked-up Haney expressed disappointment, stating, “I [showed I] was a true champion and I could fight after being knocked down.”
In an undercard bout, Belfast’s Sean McComb faced controversy as he suffered a split decision defeat to light-welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. Despite displaying impressive footwork and timing, McComb fell short in the world-title eliminator.
The showdown between Garcia and Haney captivated spectators at the Barclay Center, with Garcia, despite missing weight, emerging as the underdog who stole the show on the pro stage.
Garcia set the tone early in the bout, landing a decisive lead left hook in the opening minutes, causing Haney’s legs to buckle.
As the fight progressed, Haney showed resilience, but Garcia’s relentless assault proved too much to handle. In a chaotic seventh round, Haney hit the canvas for the first time in his professional career, setting the stage for Garcia’s dominance.
Despite moments of resurgence from Haney, Garcia’s lightning-quick hand speed and precision left the champion reeling, ultimately leading to his downfall in the 10th and 11th rounds.
With Garcia’s left hook proving to be his most potent weapon, Haney acknowledged his lapse in defense, stating, “I fell asleep on the left hook.”
As Haney seeks redemption, he called for a rematch, emphasizing, “I gave him a shot, it’s only right he gives me a shot back. He didn’t make weight, so I’m still the champion. We can run it back.”