Under normal circumstances, the super lightweight fight between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, could be a classic.
Haney, the WBC super lightweight champion, is an excellent boxer. Garcia has power and speed. The 25-year-old boxer in his prime can put on a show worth his $69.99 pay-per-view price.
But these are not normal situations.
In a bizarre turn of events scheduled for 12 rounds, Garcia invoked the devil and made outlandish claims, including that he was in danger of being crucified.
“Ryan Garcia deceived the public,” Haney’s father, Bill, said at a news conference Thursday.
But when Garcia’s behavior became vulgar during a press conference, Devin Haney said, “There’s something wrong with this (expletive).”
Not normal: On Friday, Garcia appeared to have gulped down a beer at the weigh-in and was 3.2 pounds overweight. “Apple juice and soda, hehe,” Garcia wrote on X (formerly Twitter) afterwards.
Was it beer or apple juice and soda? Is he trying to fool people and give Haney a big loss, or does he have mental health issues?
On Saturday night, under strange circumstances, the answer may become clearer. USA TODAY brings you all the latest updates, news and highlights from the main card fights at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Follow here.
What time is the Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney fight?
The main card begins at 8pm ET. Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney’s ring walk is scheduled to begin at 11pm ET.
How to watch Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney
The boxing match will be available to watch on DAZN ($69.99 with registration) and PPV.com ($79.99, no registration required).
Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia predictions
Predictions from carefully selected boxing writers and fighters:
Robert Segal, Boxing News 24: “Even if Haney was going to go head-to-head, once he gets a taste of Ryan’s power, he’ll change his mind and return to the safety-first style we’ve seen over the past four games.”
- prediction: Haney by one-sided decision or late knockout
Lucky Ngamwajasat, Bleacher Report: “One punch can change any fight, and ‘King Rye’ definitely has the weapons to catch Haney if he lets his guard down. But the smart money here is that Haney will not let Garcia out. Keep your arms outstretched to show that you are moving towards victory.
- prediction: Haney by unanimous decision
Josh Peter, USA TODAY: “Due to Ryan Garcia’s erratic behavior, I am hoping for the best but also expecting the worst.”
- prediction:Haney wins after Garcia gets DQed in 8thround.
Claressa ShieldsHe told Fighthub TV: You’re going to see Ryan go out there and throw flashy combinations and get sharp and long. But I think Devin is the better boxer and he could run Ryan into some things and I think it would be a unanimous decision for Devin. ”
Canelo AlvarezAlvarez told FightHub TV that he thinks Garcia will win “if it’s 100 percent,” but added that “the people around him need to help him.” So I feel a little bit sorry for him, because he needs good people, good people around him.
Shane Mosley“I think Devin has a big advantage, which is he can outbox and move around and understand Ryan,” he told Fight Hype. But at the same time…Ryan has a big left hook and a big punch. ”
shawn porterHe said of Garcia on the podcast: We have (trainer) Derrick James in the corner right now, so they’re practicing the basics and fundamentals. ”
adrien broner“My brother says if Devin wins tonight’s game he gets a million dollars. And if I had money like I used to, I’d probably keep my million dollars to H too. But I only won $13, so I like Knockout Ryan. I like my odds. I have to triple this (expletive).
Jonathan Canas def. Marcus Bowes by unanimous decision
Canas, a 6-foot right-hander, used his reach advantage against the Bowes, who are 5-6. Canas, 22, not only used his jab effectively, but also landed a ton of his powerful rights in the four-round super lightweight bout.
Kanas improved to 4-0, while Bowes fell to 2-6.
Amari Jones def. Armel Mbumba-Yassa by TKO
Jones, from the Devin Haney stable, defeated Mbumba Yassa in six rounds. Shortly after, the referee ruled out a super middleweight bout in which Jones had the upper hand from the start.
Jones, 31, improved to 12-0. Mbumba Yassa, a native of the Republic of Congo who fought just 13 days ago, fell to 10-2-1.
Who decides if Ryan Garcia is mentally fit to compete?
Whether Ryan Garcia is ultimately mentally fit to fight Haney is a matter for the New York State Athletic Commission to determine. And this week, as Garcia’s erratic behavior continued, respected boxing analyst Teddy Atlas said Garcia was “disappointed” in the state athletic commission.
“The only reason we are asked to do this is to ensure the welfare and health of the fighters who go into the ring, to make sure they are mentally and physically sound,” Atlas said on the podcast. Told. Fight Teddy Atlas. “I don’t know if I could say that about Garcia if I hadn’t evaluated him with the right people.”
Garcia said he underwent and passed a psychological test.
In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, the commission said it does not comment on “specific medical tests or evaluations of specific individuals.”
The commission also has “broad authority to evaluate the medical suitability (including mental and physical health) of professional athletes and, based on the individual’s medical history and circumstances, “We are engaging in a thorough case-by-case due diligence process.” before participating in the competition. Games will not be held until professional athletes are deemed medically fit to compete. ”
Kevin Newman II def. Eric Robles by TKO
Newman cornered Roy Jones Jr. and won by TKO in the fourth round of their cruiserweight bout.
Newman dropped Robles with a flurry of punches early in the fourth round and landed a hard right that brought Robles to his knees. The referee immediately stopped the match.
Newman, 32, improved to 15-3-1, while Robles, 32, of Mexico, fell to 9-4.
How much does Ryan Garcia weigh?
At Friday’s weigh-in, Ryan Garcia gulped down what appeared to be beer as he stepped on the scale. “100 percent worth it,” Garcia wrote in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter). But then he posted a message that read, “Apple juice and soda, hehe.”
What’s indisputable: Garcia weighed 143.2 pounds.
At 140 pounds, Devin Haney had no such drama.
Haney then finds himself $1.5 million richer because the two boxers made a pre-fight bet that meant he owed his opponent $500,000 for every 140 pounds over his contracted weight. Ta.
Chamal Canal def. Pedro Borgaro unanimously decided
Coached by Devin Haney’s father, Canal knocked out Borgaro in the third round and dominated through the six-round lightweight bout.
Canal, 21, signed with Devin Haney Promotions and improved to 8-0. Borgaro, an 18-year-old from Mexico, lost 7-2.
Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia full card
The main card matches are as follows:
≻ Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Sean McComb Co-main, WBO Intercontinental Super Lightweight 10 rounds
≻ Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Pierre Dibombe WBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight 10th round
≻ John Ramirez vs. David Jimenez WBA world super flyweight provisional 12th round
≻Charles Conwell vs. Nathaniel Gallimore Super Welterweight 12 Rounds
What are the win-loss records of Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney?
≻ Ryan Garcia: 24 wins, 1 loss, 20 KOs
≻Devin Haney: 31 wins, 0 losses, 15 KOs
Garcia vs Haney Tickets
As of Friday night, tickets for the game at Barclays Center were available for purchase on Stubhub starting at $112, no fees.
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