By Elliot Worsell
One of the remarkable aspects of writing previews prior to the rise of social media and the demand for constant updates from boxers was the narrow and specific focus it provided. Instead of being consumed by their online posts, filled with boredom, pleas for help, or the need for validation, the attention was directed towards their fighting style and performance in the ring. Boxers were seen more as outlines, rather than flawed individuals, whose imperfections are accentuated by their addiction to social media.
In the case of Ryan Garcia, perhaps the case, it is hard to now separate the boxer from the damaged young man. For example, at the time of me writing this, the preview of his next fight, he was busy posting the following on social media: “I actually get excited when people say I’m crazy.”
When taken out of context, it might seem like a dismissive remark that could have been written by any frustrated 13-year-old girl seeking validation and support in school. However, considering what we know about Garcia and the countless conspiracy theories and pleas for assistance he has been sharing for the past few months, it is difficult not to interpret these comments as either (a) another indication of concern or (b) somewhat bothersome.
The interpretation of Garcia’s behavior will ultimately hinge on whether one perceives him as a young man grappling with personal struggles or as someone excessively craving attention to the point of resorting to any means. After reading his words and viewing his videos, some may voice their worries, while others may believe that ignoring him is the most effective approach in the long run.
From the start, Devin Haney, Garcia’s upcoming opponent, has been well aware of Garcia’s intentions. With a nonchalant eye-roll and shrug, Haney has consistently maintained that Garcia’s goal is simply to stir up chaos and seek attention, utilizing the only method he knows. Haney, in fact, cannot perceive any other motive and lacks the sympathy that others initially showed towards Garcia upon learning about his problems.
Maybe Haney, as his adversary, is compelled to adopt this mindset: showing no mercy, disregarding the humanity of the boxer he intends to conquer. Alternatively, like many others, Haney perceives Garcia as a man whose idiosyncrasies – to put it mildly – are no distinct from numerous other boxers in the past. The only difference is that nowadays, due to social media, these quirks are laid bare for the world to witness and, unfortunately, are shamelessly exploited by both Garcia himself and those in his circle as promotional tactics.
Regardless of the scenario, the lead-up to this event in Brooklyn has been disconcerting, unconventional, and unacceptable. If Garcia, for instance, displays even a fraction of the instability he portrays online in his quest for attention, he should not be allowed anywhere near the boxing ring this Saturday (April 20). Similarly, if this is all just a strange scheme or an effort to generate controversy because Garcia understands that’s what his audience craves, both Garcia and those associated with him have truly disappointed themselves and tarnished the sport.
It is uncertain whether Garcia will withdraw or have a meltdown like McCall or Golota during the fight. However, it is evident that the lead-up to this match, mainly due to Garcia’s unpredictable behavior, has overshadowed what was initially an intriguing matchup between two promising super-lightweights. This situation has not instilled confidence in fans or Haney, who are unsure if the fight will actually occur on Saturday. To be honest, even as I write this, having previously experienced previews for fights that never materialized, I am still uncertain if Haney and Garcia will step into the ring together this weekend.
Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia will go head-to-head at The Empire State Building in New York City on April 16, 2024. (Image credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)
Despite the difficulties, we need to make an effort to shift our focus and perceive Haney and Garcia solely as boxers. We should disregard Garcia’s personal revelations about himself and others, and instead recognize them as two exceptional athletes in the boxing ring, unaffected by their flaws as young individuals. Only then can we truly analyze this fight and return to the purity of past previews. In those times, it was refreshing to solely focus on the boxers and the impending match, embracing the mystery that added excitement without depriving us of knowledge. This approach allowed us to concentrate on what truly matters: the two main characters involved.
In the case of Haney and Garcia, there is a lot to analyze and admire. Firstly, they are both currently in their prime at the age of 25. Their meeting is happening at the perfect time, neither too early nor too late. Despite their youth, they have gained a considerable amount of experience at the highest level in recent years. Haney, for instance, has managed to go the full 12-round distance in his last eight fights, defeating notable boxers such as Vasiliy Lomachenko, Regis Prograis, George Kambosos (twice), Jorge Linares, Joseph Diaz, and Yuriorkis Gamboa during this period. On the other hand, Garcia has been predominantly winning fights at a slightly lower level. However, he did participate in a significant bout against Gervonta Davis in 2023, and it is worth acknowledging that he has successfully bounced back from the defeat he experienced that night.
To summarize, we have ample knowledge about both fighters, even though they are both just 25 years old, an age typically associated with unproven prospects nowadays. Haney is extremely skilled and can easily go the full 12 rounds effortlessly. He has convincingly defeated several highly skilled opponents over this duration. On the other hand, Garcia, having lost his unbeaten record to Davis last year, is now likely free from any pressure and has undoubtedly gained valuable insights from that defeat.
Garcia’s victory over Duarte in December, with an eighth-round stoppage, greatly improved his confidence. This was his first fight since his loss to Davis, where he was defeated in the seventh round by a body shot. The win against Duarte, while weighing 143 pounds, was exactly what he needed. It not only allowed him to transition to the super-lightweight division but also gave him a new mindset and approach. After being humbled by Davis in April at lightweight, the expectation was that Garcia, with a record of 24-1 (20), would now begin anew as a more mature and thoughtful fighter.
On the contrary, the new Garcia that has emerged has proven to be quite unexpected. Instead of maturing, Garcia has displayed a worrying level of immaturity in the past four months, causing many to plead for intervention and assistance. This does not bode well for his upcoming fight against the highly skilled Devin Haney. Surprisingly, Garcia’s recent actions have revealed more about his character than his dominant performance against Duarte in December.
Ryan Garcia
As for Haney, in contrast to Garcia, steady is the word. He is steady whenever he appears in the ring, often controlling opponents and doing with and to them whatever he wants, and he is steady outside the ring, too; where Haney, 31-0 (15), has only ever appeared the model professional. Indeed, the single knock against Haney, the WBC super-lightweight champion, is to say that sometimes he is a little too steady and a little too safe. Meaning: whereas someone like Garcia is all emotion, chaos and drama, which produces quite the cocktail in the ring, Haney is a peppermint tea of a fighter. He is reliable, assured and, for the purists, precisely what they want to sip before going to bed. There are, for those people, healing properties in watching someone like Haney. Even just his jab, a punch he throws as well as anyone, is a thing of real beauty; a work of art. His control, too, is something to behold and respect, especially given the run of decision wins he has had and the pressure for him to buck this trend and prioritise the bloodlust of fans.
Garcia is an ideal opponent for Haney in terms of promoting the fight. Garcia takes on the role of being vocal and attracting attention, allowing Haney to focus solely on his craft and perform at his best on fight night. Haney, who has achieved eight consecutive decision wins, relies on opponents like Garcia to generate interest in his fights, similar to how Mayweather needed charismatic opponents like Gatti and De La Hoya to enhance his profile during his championship reign. While Mayweather was more thrilling than Haney, both fighters understood the importance of having captivating opponents to elevate their status in the sport.
Haney will anticipate a similar approach from Ryan Garcia and plan to exploit Garcia’s emotional vulnerability. He aims to break Garcia down and secure his first stoppage victory since 2019. Considering Garcia’s recent struggles, it appears inevitable that Haney, with his unwavering stability and consistency, is the worst opponent for Garcia in his current mental state. Haney serves as a harsh reminder of everything Garcia lacks.
