Devin Haney versus Ryan Garcia is billed as a game seven – the rare winner-takes-all-all game we see in the NBA, MLB, and other U.S. professional sporting league playoffs.
Haney will put his WBC junior welterweight world title on the line against his amateur rival Garcia on April 20, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, which will be telecast on DAZN pay-per-view.
The two fought in the amateurs. It is widely publicized that the two split their series 3-3. Now their pay-per-view fight is being marketed as a winner-takes-all all, but is it?
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) is a former undisputed lightweight world champion. He recently defeated Regis Prograis to become the WBC junior welterweight champion. Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) has amassed a huge following on social media, fought Gervonta Davis (in a fight he was knocked out in), but has garnered more attention outside of boxing than he has achieved from the sport.
Despite a deep amateur tradition, and a winner-takes-all approach, they have different mentalities. Haney, the cerebral assassin, who needs to win, is defined by his legacy in the sport. Garcia is a cultural institution for those in their mid-20s. His antics on the internet have been seen by followers who watched him grow up before their eyes. His reach is vast. Garcia has yet to have that win in boxing that makes his fanbase fully make sense, but this moment could be that.
“This is only the beginning,” said Haney in a YouTube released feature 40 Days Episode 1, used to build anticipation for the fight. “I have a long career ahead of me. I have years and years to dominate the sport. They just keep lining them up and I just keep knocking them down.”
Haney believes he is the best fighter in the world, and despite the history with Garcia he is out to make a statement.
“I respect everybody that gets in the ring,” furthered Haney. “He is at the highest level for a reason. But, it is for me to go in there and show him that you are not on my level. You are not Devin Haney good. That is for me to prove, and that’s what I will do.”
Haney has spent the last six years having to “earn his respect in boxing.” He was mocked for becoming an e-mail champion. He then went overseas to fight George Kambosos twice, winning both fights and becoming an undisputed lightweight world champion.
He fought Vasiliy Lomachenko and beat him. He fought one of the toughest fighters at junior welterweight in Regis Prograis to become champion. Haney answers the questions when he is being doubted.
Garcia, meanwhile, has been on social media a lot. Yet he appears to be in shape. Haney commented on what he thought about Garcia’s online behavior.
“Ryan is showing he is a kid,” said Haney. “I mean, look at his antics. Look at what he is doing. He is all over the place with it.”
“The world is going to see how great I am, how much better I am. And how in the amateurs things change, and it is who became the better pro, and that is what all this is about.”
