In New York, Ryan Garcia secured a significant victory over Devin Haney on Saturday, marking Haney’s first career loss. Despite Garcia’s failure to make weight for the fight at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, resulting in his title not being on the line due to a 3.2-pound excess over the 140-pound limit, he managed to triumph via a majority decision.
The lead-up to the bout was tumultuous, with Garcia’s social media activity, under the moniker “KingRy,” adding to the drama. In a surprising turn, Garcia floored Haney three times during the match, showcasing his resilience and skill.
The fight saw Garcia’s left hook making an impact in the opening round, while Haney displayed strategic prowess in the second. However, Garcia’s unorthodox style and relentless pressure culminated in decisive moments, including a knockdown in the seventh round that shifted the momentum.
Despite Haney’s strong showing in later rounds, Garcia’s dominance, marked by another knockdown in the 10th and 11th rounds, secured the victory. The judges’ scorecards reflected a closely contested match, with one judge scoring it a draw at 112-112, another favoring Garcia at 114-110, and the third seeing it 115-109 in Garcia’s favor.
This win bolstered Garcia’s record to 25-1, with his only loss prior against Gervonta Davis in April 2023. On the other hand, Haney’s record now stands at 31-1, marking a significant moment in his professional career.
