Garcia stuns Haney despite weight controversy
Garcia’s unpredictable behavior in the lead-up to his fight against Devin Haney had some doubting whether he should even be allowed to enter the ring. However, the performance he delivered was nothing short of spectacular.
Despite not being eligible to claim the WBC super lightweight title due to missing weight, Garcia dominated the bout, knocking Haney down three times and handing him his first loss.
Questions surrounding Garcia’s commitment to the fight arose from his peculiar actions in public and on social media, suggesting a lack of focus on training, especially evident when he weighed in over 3 pounds above the 140-pound limit.
Nevertheless, Garcia’s speed and power proved too much for Haney, who struggled from the outset and ultimately fell in the seventh, 10th, and 11th rounds.
“Come on guys, you really thought I was crazy?” Garcia screamed to the fans during his post-fight interview in the ring.
Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) won by scores of 115-109 and 114-110 on two of the judges’ cards, while the third judge had it 112-112.
The Associated Press scored it 114110 for Garcia.
The 25-year-olds from California split six fights as amateurs, but Haney had the stronger pro career, winning the undisputed lightweight title and then moving up to win the WBC belt in his first fight at 140 pounds.
Garcia couldn’t take that, but he took Haney’s perfect record. Haney fell to 31-1.
Haney had seemingly taken his place among the best fighters in the world, while it became easy to wonder if Garcia had been overhyped.