It’s been over a week since Ryan Garcia stunned Devin Haney (31-1) with a Majority Decision upset over the previously undefeated Haney.
Official Scorecard: 112-112, 114-110 (Garcia), 115-109 (Garcia)
MTC Scorecard: 113-111 (Garcia)
(Round-by-Round Breakdown Below)
There was more to unpack than meets the eye.
The fight’s narrative takes an intriguing turn with Garcia (25-1) stepping into the ring three pounds overweight. This move, a calculated part of his strategy, was a testament to his tactical brilliance, far from a sign of undisciplined preparation.
It meant that Garcia couldn’t win the title, but we live in an era where titles don’t mean as much as they once did. It’s about marketability and the ability to make fights, especially those of the pay-per-view variety.
There was also no rehydration clause like the one that was part of the Tank Davis fight.
Would Davis agree to a fight allowing Garcia to weigh over 140 pounds?
Highly unlikely.
No matter how much Oscar DeLa Hoya might want fans to believe Garcia is the “A” side in a rematch with Davis, there’s no way Tank’s camp sees it that way.
Like Floyd Mayweather Jr., Davis will forever see himself as the “A” side, meaning he will want to dictate most of the terms, including a hydration clause.
That might’ve been the biggest mistake Haney made. There was a rehydration clause in Garcia’s first fight against Davis; in the Haney fight, there wasn’t.
The other big-named opponent Garcia can come after is Errol Spence.
Spence hasn’t fought since his loss to Terence Crawford.
This fight might be more accessible because Spence needs a spotlight fight that doesn’t involve Crawford. It can also be made at 147 pounds, which would ease Dela Hoya’s fear of Garcia fighting at a draining weight.
Both fighters would benefit.
It’s an attractive pay-per-view event, plus it would be the perfect follow-up for Garcia and bounce back for Spence.
Opponents like Sebastian Fundora and Conor Benn should only come into play if a fight with Davis or Spence can’t be made.
What about a rematch with Haney?
Garcia will want to dictate all the terms, and who knows if the Haney camp will agree to let Garcia have free reign, especially when it comes to weight.
Either way, Garcia has more control for a highly visible fight than ever.
What’s next remains to be seen.
Garcia-Haney Round-By-Round
First Round
Garcia hurt Haney in the first round with a left hook. He would hurt Haney two more times in the round. Haney looked like he didn’t expect Garcia to come out aggressive, even though this is how Garcia came out against Tank Davis.
Garcia 10-9
Second Round
It was a much better round for Haney. He stayed behind his jab and landed a good right hand after a classic 1-2. Garcia countered over the top with a left hook that landed on the temple.
Haney 10-9
Third Round
Haney returns the favor and hurts Garcia with a left hand. In fact, Haney’s left hand was the story of the round, whether it was a jab or power punch. Garcia was holding too much.
Haney 10-9
Fourth Round
Garcia deployed the Wal-Mart version of Floyd Mayweather’s shoulder roll. Garcia did land the best punch of the round with a right hand. That said, Haney had his moments that put Garcia on his back foot.
Haney 10-9
Fifth Round
It was a close round to score. Neither did much, but if you believe in ring generalship, then the round went to Haney. Garcia had much movement but needed to do more with it.
Haney 10-9
Sixth Round
Garcia comes out aggressive like he did in the first round, and once again, he has Haney hurt. How much has Garcia tried to emulate Mayweather Jr.? We have seen the shoulder roll, Mayweather’s movement and now an attempt at the check left hook. With all that being said, Haney looked frustrated, which caused him to be ineffective for much of the round.
Garcia 10-9
Seventh Round
A left hook sent down Haney in the round. The left came after a couple of rights. Garcia lost a point because of an unnecessary cheap shot. Haney would hit the canvas two more times, but both were ruled to have no knockdowns—nevertheless a huge round for Garcia.
Garcia 9-8
Eighth Round
Early in the round, Haney’s legs were still shaky. Both fighters took time to exhale, but Garcia did enough to win.
Garcia 10-9
Ninth Round
The round was tricky to score. Haney controlled much of it, but Garcia’s high moments were more impactful than Haney’s. Haney finally went to the body.
Haney 10-9
Tenth Round
Garcia starts the round out aggressively, and he gets an early knockdown. It’s been the story of the fight. When Garcia came off the stool with a purpose, Haney had no answer.
Garcia 10-8
Eleventh Round
The left hook from Garcia has been devastating. Garcia landed it early on in the round and hurt Haney. Later in the round, a clean left hook sends Haney back to the canvas.
Garcia 10-8
Twelfth Round
Garcia didn’t do anything in the round. Haney gets the round by default.
Haney 10-9
Final
Garcia 113
Haney 111
