Ryan Garcia Shocks Boxing World with Sensational Upset Victory Against Devin Haney

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ICARO Media Group
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21/04/2024 17h17

In a stunning turn of events, Ryan Garcia delivered a spectacular upset victory over Devin Haney on Saturday night, scoring three knockdowns to hand the WBC super lightweight champion his first defeat in his professional career. Despite entering the fight as a 6-1 underdog, Garcia showcased his explosive speed and power, dropping Haney in the seventh, 10th, and 11th rounds. The judges awarded Garcia a majority decision with scores of 115-109, 114-110, and 112-112.

The highly anticipated 12-round bout, held at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, had been downgraded to a non-title fight due to Garcia's failure to meet the division weight limit. Weighing in at 143.2lbs, 3.2lbs above the limit, Garcia's preparation came under scrutiny, creating doubts about his chances against the undefeated Haney. Yet, against all odds, Garcia emerged victorious, claiming Haney's unblemished professional record.

The build-up to the fight was marred by Garcia's erratic behavior both in person and on social media, raising concerns and casting a shadow over the event. However, Garcia's performance in the ring silenced any doubts as he came out aggressively from the opening bell, wobbling Haney with a powerful left hook. The crowd erupted in support, chanting Garcia's name.

Haney, displaying resilience and determination, fought back with a more aggressive approach, utilizing his jab and frustrating Garcia with counter punches. As the fight progressed, it seemed that Haney was pulling ahead on the scorecards. However, Garcia proved his resilience and landed a devastating left hook in the seventh round, sending Haney to the canvas for the first time in his professional career. Referee Harvey Dock docked a point from Garcia for hitting on the break, but the damage was done. Haney struggled to regain his composure and continued to be caught by Garcia's powerful shots.

Garcia's dominance was evident in the punch statistics, where he landed 106 of 285 blows (37.2%), compared to Haney's 87 of 214 (40.7%). The difference was particularly pronounced in power shots, with Garcia landing 95 to Haney's 45. Despite his impressive performance, Garcia acknowledged his disappointment, stating that he fell asleep during the fight and got caught by Haney.

The bout had originally been marketed based on the pair's rivalry in the amateur ranks, with each fighter previously winning three out of their six encounters. While Garcia may have the larger celebrity following with millions of followers on social media platforms, Haney entered the fight as the more accomplished professional and the overwhelming favorite. Having already unified all four major titles at 135lbs, and subsequently becoming a two-weight champion at 140lbs, Haney's championship reign appeared formidable.

With this shocking upset, Garcia's boxing career takes a major turn, leaving fans eagerly anticipating a potential rematch between the two fighters. However, Oscar De La Hoya, Garcia's promoter, emphasized Garcia's newfound position of power, stating that he will now call the shots in terms of future fights and weight divisions.

Ryan Garcia's victory has undoubtedly shaken the boxing world, showing that extraordinary outcomes can still occur in the sport. As Garcia revels in his triumph, questions now loom over Haney's future as he looks to regroup and bounce back from his first professional loss.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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