After weeks of speculation as to whether Ryan Garcia will take part in his high-profile clash with Devin Haney, we have finally arrived at fight week and it appears as though Garcia has been given the green light to challenge the undefeated champion.
However, uncharacteristic behaviour from ‘King Ry’ in the build-up has led fans to expect an intriguing press conference and weigh-in, as well as a one-sided fight, an opinion which has been reflected in the betting patterns ahead of fight night.
Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia – the biggest boxing event of 2024?
Devin Haney conquered the lightweight division to become the youngest ever undisputed four-belt champion, twice defeating George Kambosos Jr. before edging a tight showdown with pound-for-pound icon Vasyl Lomachenko. In December, Haney’s reputation was further enhanced when he successfully stepped up to super-lightweight and dominated WBC champion Regis Prograis, becoming a two-division world champion aged just 25-years-old.
Meanwhile, Garcia endured a less fruitful 2023, picking up a first career defeat in the pay-per-view event of the year when he faced Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, losing by virtue of a vicious body-shot knockout. Consequently, the youngster made the decision to sack Joe Goossen as his trainer and appoint Derrick James, who also trains Errol Spence Jr., and bounced back to winning ways with a knockout victory over Oscar Duarte in his first fight under the 2017 Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year.
Now Garcia is tasked with the almighty challenge of Haney, a slick technician whose talents inside of the ring portray wisdom beyond his years, but their history in the amateurs gives Garcia confidence that he can bring home the belt at his first attempt at world honours.
Ryan Garcia has the public concerned for his mental well-being
Despite his apparent self-confidence, fans have questioned the mental state of Ryan Garcia after some eyebrow-raising antics in recent months. The 15-time national amateur champion posted pictures of himself smoking marijuana just hours after the launch press conference, shared his beliefs on a multitude of wild conspiracy theories and even appeared to fake his own death.
As a result, fight fans have shared their concerns regarding Garcia’s health, leading to a request from the New York State Athletic Commission who asked the complicated superstar to take a mental health evaluation. In response, Garcia threatened to sue them.
Fighters such as Shakur Stevenson and Adrien Broner have both offered to step in on short-notice and challenge for Haney’s title in place of Garcia, but instead Garcia will continue as normal.
Ryan Garcia has betting odds widened even further ahead of Devin Haney fight
Some pundits have birthed theories that Garcia’s behaviour is simply a rouse to unsettle Devin Haney, although the bookmakers’ odds suggest that few punters are believing that idea.
Haney opened in the betting at -550 (2/11), with Garcia appearing as a sizeable underdog at +370 (19/5). Even in spite of those extremely differing prices, bookies have further shifted odds after witnessing Garcia’s perceived breakdown, now pricing the champion at -900 (1/9), whilst the challenger is a monumental underdog at +550 (11/2).
In comparison to previous contests, Haney entered the ring at -300 (1/3) and -600 (1/6) against Lomachenko and Prograis respectively. Whereas Garcia is considered to have far less chance than he did against ‘Tank’, being a +160 (8/5) in his only other blockbuster pay-per-view event.
