HANEY-GARCIA BREAKDOWN

THE junior welterweight or super lightweight division (140 pounds) takes centerstage this Sunday (Manila time) when American champion Devin Haney defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) title opposite fellow American Ryan Garcia at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The fight marks the first time Haney and Garcia are squaring off in the pro ranks. For the record, however, the upcoming fight will mark the seventh fight between the two.

Haney and Garcia fought six times in the amateur ranks and they split the series at 3-3. The last time they met was in January 2015 in the quarterfinals of the US Youth National Championships. Haney won via unanimous decision after three rounds. The fighters were then 16 years old.

They have actually known each other since they were 10.

Haney, 31-0 with 15 knockouts, clearly has the better resume in the pro level. Born in San Francisco, California, Haney dropped out of school at age 13 to pursue boxing. He turned pro in 2015 and earned his spurs fighting in small bars in Tijuana, Mexico.

Haney is a two-division world champion. He was first crowned as WBC lightweight (135 pounds) king in 2019. In June 2022, he unified all four belts in the lightweight division (WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF) by outclassing George Kambosos Jr. in 12 rounds.

Haney made two defenses of the undisputed lightweight hardware, beating Kambosos Jr. in a rematch in October 2022 and pulling off a close but unanimous decision win over Ukraine's Vasyl Lomachenko in May 2023.

Garcia, 24-1 with 20 knockouts, comes from a family of boxers and started training at age 7. He compiled a solid amateur record of 215-15 and was a 15-time US national amateur champion. He turned pro in June 2016 and won the WBC interim lightweight title in January 2021 when he stopped Luke Campbell in seven rounds.

Owing to his good looks and one-punch knockout power, Garcia has emerged as a social media star. However, since the win over Campbell, Garcia's career has been mired by inactivity, injuries, promotional disputes, and mental health issues.

In April 2023, Garcia suffered his first pro defeat when he was knocked out in seven rounds by American Gervonta "Tank" Davis. Garcia claimed he came to the fight nursing a rib injury and Davis capitalized by stopping him with a huge body shot.

Garcia returned to the ring in December 2023, scoring an eighth round stoppage win over Oscar Duarte. Garcia did not really look good in the fight and seemed bothered by the early pressure from Duarte. He actually lost a few rounds but his punching power saved him.

Despite the numbing loss to Davis, a loss which many claimed exposed his deficiencies, Garcia is getting a shot at the WBC junior welterweight belt held by Davis.

Garcia is entering the fight with a lot of domestic baggage. He has been making a lot of bizarre statements on social media, i.e., that he was raped by a family member at age 2, that he has photographic evidence of aliens, and that "X" chief Elon Musk is the next "Antichrist."

Many wonder if Garcia is mentally ready to fight Haney, but amid the concerns of fans and family members, Garcia is pushing through with the fight.

Haney is the overwhelming pick to prevail. He is a master boxer who can make his foe look silly. The big question on Haney is his punching power as not a few believe his punches cannot even wobble a sandcastle. He did show some pop at junior welterweight, knocking down Prograis en route to a lopsided decision win.

Garcia brings a lot of firepower, particularly with his left hook, but his defense leaves plenty to be desired. Garcia is a lanky fighter who does not really move his head well, making him susceptible to looping counter shots.

With the knockout loss to Davis, Garcia's chin is now suspect, too.

Haney is under pressure to win big. He is facing Garcia who many believe is already damaged goods.

Garcia is equally under pressure to win. He stopped Duarte in his last fight but did not really look good. Another loss for Garcia might not end just to derail his career, it might also leave in shambles his already fragile psyche.

The popular view is that Haney will thoroughly outbox Garcia and settle for a lopsided decision win. Garcia figures to be stronger at 140 pounds, but he does not have the requisite skills to keep up with the elite boxer that is Haney. It will be interesting to see though what will happen if Garcia nails Haney with that left hook.

2024-04-19T02:50:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd