Last Saturday night (April 20), Ryan Garcia surprised many, including myself, in the boxing community.
Many anticipated that he would lose convincingly and potentially even be knocked out by Devin Haney, based on their previous performances. However, Garcia’s victory was undoubtedly the highlight of his career and showcased his exceptional skills. Throughout the fight, Garcia’s power overwhelmed Haney. Although Haney managed to outbox Garcia at times, he was unable to withstand Garcia’s clean shots.
One of the major talking points leading up to the fight was Garcia’s failure to meet the championship weight limit of 140lbs, as he came in three pounds over. This not only cost him a significant amount of money, but also raised concerns about his ability to perform in the ring. Personally, I believe that being three pounds heavier than your opponent on fight night does not give you a significant advantage. The outcome of the contest is unlikely to be greatly affected by this slight weight difference. However, the issue lies in the fact that failing to make weight indicates that the fighter may not have pushed their body to the same limits as their opponent. This could potentially leave them with more energy and endurance on fight night.
Regrettably, it has become a common practice for championship level boxers to shed approximately 10% of their bodyweight, and sometimes more, within the final 24 hours leading up to the weigh-in. They then proceed to regain the lost weight before the actual fight. This approach is adopted by most fighters to ensure a level playing field, as competing at their natural bodyweight would put them at a significant disadvantage in the ring.
When executed correctly and with a focus on maintaining good health, it is possible to perform at your best. However, it is important to acknowledge that this approach places significant stress on the body and can only be sustained for a limited number of times without experiencing negative consequences in both the short and long term. Haney has gained recognition for his practice of shedding substantial amounts of weight and entering fights with a significant weight advantage over his opponents, often referred to as engaging in weight bullying.
In my view, Garcia’s team made a prediction that Devin, who recently transitioned from 135lbs to 140lbs, was already encountering difficulties at the new weight class. Consequently, they concluded it would be wise not to exhaust Ryan excessively. They relied on the belief that “King Ry” would enter the ring with more energy and physical strength. Haney, who has never been knocked down previously, showing vulnerability to injury suggests that he may struggle with cutting weight.
Although it could be perceived as a deceitful tactic, his actions might raise concerns among future opponents about his ability to meet weight requirements, potentially resulting in even harsher penalties exceeding $500,000 per pound. Nevertheless, it proved effective in this particular bout. Despite the WBC title no longer being at stake, his victory held greater significance than the belt itself, given the current era of numerous championship belts.
