Ryan Garcia topples WBC World super-lightweight king Devin Haney
Garcia goes 4-3 up over his long-term rival Haney
Despite his erratic behaviour, questionable mental health stability, missing weight and downing beer at the weigh-in, ‘KingRy’ Ryan Garcia delivered the greatest performance of his professional career when he floored his arch nemesis Devin Haney three times en route to a majority points win on a dramatic night in Brooklyn, last night.
Garcia’s blisteringly fast left hook was his greatest asset, as the previously unbeaten world champion Haney was floored in the seventh, 10th and 11th rounds.
Scorecards of 112-112, 114-110 and 115-109 saw the decision go to Garcia.
The 25-year-old Californian, however, did not win the champion’s WBC super-lightweight title after missing weight for the contest and forfeiting his chance, as well as being forced to pay a hefty fine for his unprofessionalism.
“You really thought I was crazy? You all lost your own minds,” said the victor Ryan Garcia, who had been criticised for his behaviour in the build-up.
The 25-year-old had posted an unending series of erratic and often worrying social media posts in recent months, talking about aliens, being denied access to his bank accounts, to women and children going missing.
“You guys overegg everything,” Garcia added.
Haney lost his first pro bout after going 31 fights unbeaten.
“I’m disappointed about my performance,” a marked-up Haney, 25, said. “I [showed I] was a true champion and I could fight after being knocked down.”
The pair had shared the ring six times as amateurs, with three wins apiece, but it was the underdog Garcia who stole the show at the Barclays Center on Saturday, April 20.
He made a blistering start, landing a lead left hook in the first minute to buckle the unblemished champions legs as early as possible.
‘The Dream’, also aged 25, recovered well, showed his heart and determination, then began to take control, glancing a left hook of his own in the third as American legends Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones Jr watched on from ringside.
In an eventful seventh stanza, Haney – while his father and trainer Bill was being interviewed in the corner by the TV broadcaster – hit the canvas for the first time as a pro.
Haney rose to his feet on shaky legs. The impatient challenger was deducted a point seconds later for throwing a punch after the referee called for a break.
Garcia continued to attack Haney, who slumped to the canvas twice more during the round but both were ruled as non-knockdowns.
Just as Haney appeared to regain control once again, landing solid body shots, Garcia floored the champion in the 10th round with his swift hand speed. Haney was hurt again in the final 30 seconds by another Garcia hook.
The sight of Haney on the canvas was becoming all too familiar. He was open for Ryan’s signature left hook and Garcia obliged again in the penultimate 11th round, sealing the champion’s fate.
“I fell asleep on the left hook. We trained for it but I got in there and fell asleep,” said Haney, who has also been undisputed champion at lightweight.
“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.”
Mikaela Mayer commented, “The wild part is that Ryan wasn’t even at his best. He played defence too much, abandoned his jab and admitted his conditioning wasn’t there. Yet still dropped Haney three times. If he stays consistent and fixes those mistakes it will be scary.”
Arnold Barboza Jr. vs Sean McComb
On the undercard, Belfast’s Sean McComb was controversially defeated by light-welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr.
In a world-title eliminator, McComb produced a composed performance with slick footwork and better timing but lost a split decision.