NEW YORK — Devin Haney will defend the WBC Super-Lightweight title against Ryan Garcia in Brooklyn on April 20. Haney refuses to acknowledge that, in his nine years as a professional, Garcia is the most lethal puncher he has encountered.
Haney’s unwillingness to acknowledge the possibility that Ryan Garcia could be a threat to him is a sign of a fragile ego. With his natural strength, Garcia(24-1, 20KOs) is without a doubt the most deadly puncher in the 140-pound class.
Given that Ryan defeated him in the amateur ranks in the past and that Ryan has won world titles over weaker opponents like George Kambosos Jr. and 35-year-old Regis Prograis, it is difficult for Haney to commend Ryan. Haney has a big chip on his shoulder because he won his world titles without getting recognized, which implies that he knew he beat paper champions and that he was being shrewd when he picked these two to compete for world titles.
WBC light welterweight champion Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) is adamant that he will “handicap” Ryan’s strength, which sounds like a broken record. Haney’s urge to belittle Ryan makes him appear frightened and resentful since he lacks the authority that Kingry has been bestowed with.
We’ll see if it holds true, but there’s no denying that Ryan is a more potent puncher than any opponent Haney has faced in his over ten-year career. Vasily Lomachenko, Joseph Diaz, and Jorge Linares have all injured 25-year-old Haney.
“Ryan Garcia has power, of course, but Regis Prograis had power too. [Jorge] Linares had power. A lot of these guys have had power. I’m just on a different level,” said David Haney in media reports.
“So he can bring all the power he wants. I’m going to bring the skills that I’ve got, and show him, handicap him of his power,” he added.
Kenneth Sims Jr., the former WBA Inter-Continental Super-Lightweight champion, has made predictions on what will happen in the match. The 30-year-old is well-versed in Devin Haney’s strength and knowledge of the sport, having sparred with the latter during his preparation for the battles against Geroge Kambosos Jr. According to Sims Jr., Haney has his own reasons for believing that he will outwit Garcia and probably prevail.
