Ryan Garcia defeats Devin Haney by Majority Decision 

By: Gregoire Beda

It’s been one year since Ryan Garcia was defeated by Gervonta Davis and on Saturday night he proved why he’s still a top contender in the sport of boxing as he defeated his rival since the amateurs Devin Haney by majority decision at Barclays Center in New York!

Garcia who is 25-1, with 20 knockouts is known for powerful left hook, he landed a shocking three knockdowns in his twelve round victory over Haney(31-1, 15 KOs) Saturday night. Judges scored the contest 112-112, 114-110, 115-109 for Garcia. 

Garcia wasn’t eligible to win Haney’s WBC junior welterweight title after he weighed 143.2 pounds Friday for the 140-pound contest. Haney remains the champion despite the loss, Haney was ESPN’s No. 6 pound-for-pound boxer prior to his loss Saturday night. Following Friday’s weigh in, Garcia agreed to pay him $500,000 for every pound he weighed in at above 140. Haney later said Garcia honored the bet, which meant Garcia paid Haney a total of $1.5 million.

Boxing critics believe Garcia being overweight for their contest was necessary, as Haney in his previous fight at 140 pounds against Regis Prograis rehydrated to 165-pounds.

“I don’t give a f— what people say about me. I walked through the fire and still held it down and still beat f—ing Devin Haney and still drink every day,” said Garcia, 25. “Not necessarily am I proud of that, but I’m just saying it was a statement to show you, you guys can’t really f— with me.”

For the first time in his 32 career fights, Haney was knocked down. Just moments after the knockdown, as the crowd erupted, Garcia put down Haney with a right hand that lead to a deduction of one point by referee Harvey Dock.

“It was a horrible ref, they stole that from me. … And Devin was holding and holding and holding. … That was ridiculous. That was crazy. I never seen some s— like that.”

“[Haney] was holding me for dear life, and I felt an opportunity to keep swinging while my hands were free and I cracked him. And then he took a point away when I cracked him, but [Haney] held me and then I should have knocked him out in that seventh round.

Despite the loss, Haney was disappointed in his performance but undeniably showed a heart of warrior.

“I’m disappointed about my performance. I showed I was a true champion and I could fight after being knocked down.”

“He caught me early when I was sleeping on him,” he added. “He caught me by surprise. I fell asleep on the left hook. … I gave him a shot. It’s only right he gives me a shot back.”