Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia: A Showdown for Boxing Supremacy
ICARO Media Group
In a highly-anticipated boxing event, WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) is set to face off against the unpredictable Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs). The fight, which will take place at a undisclosed venue, is scheduled to begin with ring walks around 8 p.m. PDT.
However, the drama has already unfolded before the fighters step into the ring. Garcia, who has been leaving a trail of tricks and trolls throughout the promotion, has had his fair share of challenges getting to this point. Due to his failure to make weight, Garcia is no longer eligible to win Haney's title, and has already forfeited a substantial amount of his purse -- $1.5 million -- for being 3.2 pounds above the 140-pound limit. Now, he aims to salvage his career and reputation when the opening bell rings.
The fight card, which kicks off with the pay-per-view portion at 5 p.m. PDT, includes four exciting undercard bouts. Two of these feature Los Angeles-based boxers. Arnold Barboza Jr. (29-0, 11 KOs), a top super lightweight contender, will take on Sean McComb (18-1, 5 KOs) in a 10-round showdown. Barboza, who signed with Golden Boy Promotions in November, is looking to continue his winning streak after securing an eighth-round stoppage in January.
Meanwhile, John "Scrappy" Ramirez (13-0, 9 KOs), a local 115-pound dynamo hailing from El Monte, is set to fight David Jimenez (15-1, 11 KOs) for the WBA interim title. Ramirez earned his title shot by pummeling Ronal Batista last October.
Adding to the excitement, 2016 Uzbekistani Olympian Bektemir Melikuziev (13-1, 10 KOs) will take on Pierre Dibombe (22-0-1, 12 KOs) of Nantes, France, in a 10-round super middleweight match. Melikuziev, who trains alongside coach Joel Diaz in Indio, aims to make a statement against his undefeated opponent.
Opening the pay-per-view telecast will be Charles Conwell (18-0, 13 KOs), a 2016 United States Olympian making his Golden Boy debut. Conwell is set to face Nathaniel Gallimore (22-7-1, 17 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight bout.
For those eager to watch the epic clash between Haney and Garcia, the fight will be available via pay-per-view on DAZN or on PPV.com. The pay-per-view portion of the fight card begins at 5 p.m. PDT. Additionally, fans can catch the preliminary action on the Golden Boy YouTube channel. On Tap Sports provides a helpful directory of bars and restaurants screening the fight, but it's recommended to call in advance to confirm details such as cover charges or minimum spend requirements.
With Haney listed as a significant -900 betting favorite and Garcia considered a +600 underdog, the odds and lines for the fight indicate Haney's favoritism. The over/under for the total number of rounds the fight is set to last is listed at 10.5.
As fight night approaches, the boxing world eagerly awaits to see if Haney can take another step towards becoming the face of boxing or if Garcia can overcome the odds and shock the world. The stage is set, the fighters are ready, and all eyes will be on the ring come 8 p.m. PDT.