Canelo Alvarez expressed his satisfaction with Ryan Garcia’s victory over Devin Haney, the WBC light welterweight champion, on April 20th. Ryan Garcia was his old training partner.
The fact that Ryan (25-1, 20 KOs) defeated Haney (31-1, 15 KOs) did not surprise Alvarez. When he worked out at his gym with coach Eddy Reynoso, he displayed the talent that many thought he possessed. Moved on and spent a short time working with trainer Joe Goosen in 2022 before partnering with current coach Derrick James.
“Nothing surprise me. I think Ryan has a lot of talent, and I’m happy for him,” said Canelo Alvarez in media reports.
“I see that fight and I was so happy. Nervous a little bit, but I was so happy for him,” he added.
Kingry was fighting well when he worked with Reynoso, so it would have been interesting to see how far forward he would be now if he had stayed with him. Though it could have been challenging for Ryan to receive the kind of individualized instruction he does now with Derrick James given all the celebrities in that facility.
Ryan has yet to reveal who he intends to face next. Matchmaker Roberto Diaz of Golden Boy Promotions stated that Ryan vs. Teofimo Lopez, the WBO light welterweight champion, would be a major fight. At a catchweight of 144 or 147, it might occur. Given that Teofimo is coming off of a contentious victory over Jamaine Ortiz, the scheduling of a fight with him is not ideal.
Ryan was easily defeated by Ortiz, therefore he would have nothing to gain by battling Teofimo. Errol Spence would be a more formidable opponent for Ryan, but it would also be riskier given that he is larger and stronger than any opponent Kingry has encountered.
Haney’s professional future appears bleak. Haney’s lack of strength will prevent him from succeeding at 147 or 154, and he won’t be able to choose his own opponents in those weight classes the way he was able to do at 140.
Haney’s defeat in the bout gives him a bad impression wherever he goes. He can’t hold at 140 for very long because of his size, but if his punching power doesn’t get better, his future is grim. Haney would have a nightmare with even the weakest links among the winners at 147 and 154.
