By: Sean Crose
“This will actually be the seventh fight between us,” Ryan Garcia said on social media Thursday. “It’s only fair that it be on the professional stage. Thank you Lord Jesus. It’s time to RUMBER.” These words were accompanied by what appeared to be a poster for a fight between Garcia and WBC junior welterweight king Devin Haney. “See you soon friend,” Haney responded to the publication. None of these posts came out of nowhere. Earlier in the day, Garcia posted: “Sorry Rollies, you and your team work too slow and you were too indecisive. I didn’t know if you wanted to box or take a vacation. Devin Haney and I are in negotiations about this. I’m not entertaining anything. Thank you” [sic].
Indeed, it had been tipped that Garcia, one of the most popular fighters in the world despite his loss last year to Gervonta Davis, could fight the exciting, if limited, WBA junior welterweight champion Rollie Romero. That idea now seems to be a thing of the past. In fact, Garcia has addressed the possibility of facing Haney at least since Haney defeated Regis Prograis in print fashion on December 9. “Haney is no doubt good,” Garcia posted at the time, “but I know him very well and I will beat him. Good material tonight, congratulations, but this year we are going to do it!!!”
In truth, few are likely to favor Garcia if he and Haney can come to an agreement on a fight. Haney is incredibly precise and smooth. Additionally, against Prograis, he showed that he had some power at a higher weight (he had previously dominated the lightweight division). Garcia, on the other hand, was knocked out by Davis last spring and, although he hits hard, he has never looked as impressive as Haney in the pro ranks. That being said, Garcia beat Haney three times in the amateur tournament. And while it’s true that Haney also beat Garcia three times in the amateur tournament, his split pre-pro record shows that Garcia at least knows what it’s like to beat the talented San Francisco native.
There’s also the fact that Garcia is a hugely popular fighter. Haney could enter the ring as a heavy favorite, should he and Garcia end up signing a contract, but Garcia, a modern fighter if ever there was one, has a huge social media presence. These things are important for wrestlers who realistically aspire to earn big salaries. Bottom line: Haney could earn a lot of money and attention if he and Garcia face each other. Another good reason for a fight between Haney and Garcia made me? Garcia has that knockout power, the kind that makes him a must-see attraction. Nobody knows what will happen when the young Californian lands clean.
