Ryan Garcia expressed concerns over the high ticket prices for his upcoming fight against Devin Haney, indicating that they might deter gate sales. The bout, set for April 20th for the WBC junior welterweight world title, is showing many empty seats on Ticketmaster's seating chart, surprising many given both fighters' history of nearly selling out their previous pay-per-view events.
“I think, personally, the tickets were extremely expensive and I want everyone to be able to attend,” Garcia stated during a media event in Dallas, Texas. He highlighted that many Americans might find it difficult to afford tickets priced at $300 to $500, especially for seats in the top rows. The cheapest tickets currently available are priced at $174.75, with some ringside seats going for more than $8,000.
The fight is scheduled in Brooklyn, New York, at the Barclays Center—a location where neither fighter has significant local ties. Garcia is from Southern California, and Haney splits his time between Oakland and Las Vegas. This lack of local connection, combined with high ticket prices and overall market saturation with other major events, might affect the turnout. Notable upcoming events include the Tim Tszyu-Sebastian Fundora fight and the Canelo Alvarez-Jaime Munguia bout, further filling the fight calendar.
Garcia also addressed concerns raised about his mental health following recent social media activity. He dismissed suggestions that his comments had impacted interest in the fight, instead attributing the lackluster excitement to Haney's perceived lack of drawing power. “Devin Haney is not a draw, and I have been definitely carrying this promotion on my back by myself,” Garcia asserted. He criticized Haney’s lack of knockout power, stating, “Nobody wants to watch a guy who supposedly can’t crack an egg,” underscoring his frustration with both the promotional efforts and the fight’s appeal.
Image Credit: DAZN