Devin Haney is done being cordial with Ryan Garcia, and he is now letting the world know he is taking the fight personally after Garcia’s pre-fight antics.
The junior welterweights will fight for Haney’s version of the world title on April 20 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. (DAZN PPV).
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) and Garcia (24-0, 20 KOs) have known each other for most of their lives. They came up together through the same USA Boxing circuit and fought each other six times in the amateurs. They built a relationship over the years, despite being rivals, and had remained friendly. Although Haney believes some of the perceived disrespect or downplaying of his ability by Garcia will go away after the fight, much has changed.
In a recent video released on DAZN Boxing’s YouTube channel, Haney spoke to Chris Mannix about Garcia.
“Ryan Garcia has known me since I was 10 years old,” Haney said. “He knows the type of fighter I am. He can say what he is going to say; we know he is going to bark and downplay me, the type of fighter I am. After April 20, he is going to say he knew how great I was.”
Haney has been less than thrilled with Garcia’s recent behavior, even if some say it is just his opponent selling the fight.
“He crossed the line,” said Haney, referring to comments Garcia has made about his religion. “Let’s leave it at what it is now.”
For his part, Haney – known for his astute boxing IQ and conditioning, but not so much for his power at the highest level – went after Garcia’s power. Most of Haney’s marquee fights have gone every scheduled round, but he is unbothered by the perceived power mismatch with Garcia.
“A lot of these guys have had power,” Haney said. “I am just on a different level. He can bring all the power he wants. I am going to bring the skills, the IQ that I got, and show him, handicap him of his power, like I do.”