Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia: Preview & Prediction

This has to be one of the strangest promotions of recent times, but we are just days away from the WBC super lightweight title fight between the champion Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) and Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs). The promotion cooled down the last couple of weeks, but as expected, the fight again became red hot on Monday. Is this the moment Haney becomes a star like Floyd Mayweather did when he beat Oscar De La Hoya in 2007? Did Garcia really train hard and put on a show as if he didn’t, resulting in a victory, or has he just become a social media fighter?

Devin Haney Can Go From Champion To Star With A Big Win

When you look at Haney’s resume, you see big names like Regis Progrias, Vasyl Lomachenko, Jorge Linares, and others, so it gives you the sense that Haney’s experience level surpasses most of his peers. You are not wrong in thinking that, and it’s why he has risen to the level he is currently fighting at. The hurdle he and his team have been unable to overcome is getting Haney to become a household name or someone casual fans recognize. It’s why he took this fight as Garcia’s profile, even without a title, is levels above Haney’s. A big win for Haney could help him get to his desired stardom.

So, how does Haney beat Garcia? Haney must box smartly and avoid fighting from mid-range without sticking his left jab out. Also, Haney has to make things uncomfortable for Garcia on the inside and tire him out while holding and landing short, hard shots to the body. Haney cannot let his emotions cloud his judgment and needs to use the Ring IQ he had against Lomachenko to win a decision at the end of the fight.

Will This Odd Approach To Promoting The Fight Help Or Hurt Ryan Garcia

It’s been a wild rollercoaster ride for Garcia, who seemed to be having a social-media meltdown since this fight was formally announced. Everything from the Illuminati to things concerning the women in his life, it all seems like Garcia hasn’t taken this fight seriously and is just going through the motions. It’s hard to tell if he’s actually falling apart or if this is just an unorthodox way of selling a fight. Garcia may be counting on Haney pulling his guard down because of it, and then when fight night shows up, the Garcia we know shows up. It makes for a highly anticipated matchup with NYC buzzing on Saturday night.

Garcia has to find a way to lure Haney into a firefight or catch Haney coming in when he dips down for his left jab to the body. These are potential moments where Garcia can catch him with a left hook and make things really interesting. Haney isn’t known to have a granite chin, so could he take Garcia’s left hook? That’s an interesting thought that elevates the anticipation even more. Garcia has the tools to score a knockout at any point, and if he can establish his body attack early, the opportunity for a late knockout could be there.

DEVIN HANEY VS RYAN GARCIA PREDICTION

Although Garcia seems to be focused on winning, contrary to all of the outside noise, Haney has faced the better fighters and that will show on Saturday as he earns a close but unanimous decision. Will it be close enough to merit a rematch? That would be the question asked after the fight.

DEVIN HANEY VS RYAN GARCIA BETTING ODDS

Per DraftKings SportsBook, Devin Haney is the favorite at -800, and Ryan Garcia is the underdog at +550.

Devin Haney: TKO/KO +160; Decision -125

Draw: +2000

Ryan Garcia: TKO/KO +850; Decision +1600

DEVIN HANEY VS RYAN GARCIA DATE, START TIME

• Date: Saturday, April 20
• Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
• Main event ringwalks (approx): 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT

These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights. 

WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS DEVIN HANEY VS RYAN GARCIA?

• U.S.: DAZN PPV & PPV.com
• UK:   DAZN PPV

DEVIN HANEY VS RYAN GARCIA FIGHT CARD

• Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia; For Haney’s WBC super lightweight title
• Arnold Barboza Jr vs. Sean McComb; super lightweight
• Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Pierre Dibombe; super middleweight
• John Ramirez vs. David Jimenez; super flyweight
• Charles Conwell vs. Nathaniel Gallimore; junior middleweight

Abraham Gonzalez

Abraham Gonzalez is the founder of FightsATW. His journalistic work has been published and used across several platforms to include online, network TV and promotional companies. He is an American Public University alumnus and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). Abraham was the Managing Editor for NYFights, Big Fight Weekend, contributed to FanSidedMMA and ProBoxTV.

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