Ryan Garcia is gearing up for what he considers the ultimate tiebreaker against his long-standing adversary, Devin Haney. The anticipation for this defining bout has escalated as the fighters are set to headline a DAZN Pay-Per-View event on April 20, in a Las Vegas venue yet to be announced. This matchup not only marks a significant chapter in their rivalry but also positions it as Garcia’s opportunity to clinch his first major title.
The history between Garcia and Haney stretches back to their amateur days, where they faced off six times, each securing three wins. Garcia, reflecting on their past encounters and the stakes of their upcoming match, took to social media to emphasize its significance: “Game 7, this one is for everything. It counts now, Devin.”
At 25, Garcia is no stranger to championship-level competition, having previously held the interim WBC lightweight title. Meanwhile, Haney has solidified his position as one of boxing’s elite, achieving full unification in the lightweight division by the age of 23 and capturing the WBC 140-pound title with a dominant performance against Regis Prograis last December.
Garcia’s journey back to title contention followed an impressive eighth-round knockout victory over Oscar Duarte, bouncing back from a defeat to Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Now, exactly one year after his loss to Davis, Garcia is poised to secure what he believes to be the most consequential win of his career against Haney.
Expressing the depth of his determination, Garcia stated, “This fight for me means everything. This is what I meant when I spoke on the PBD podcast—’I’m coming back for everything in Blood.’” His comments underscore the intensity and personal significance he attributes to this bout, urging fans to consider the potential outcomes of this highly anticipated clash.
Image Credit: ESPN