Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia are set to face off in a highly anticipated bout on April 20 in Las Vegas, with Haney defending his junior welterweight championship.
The fight, reported by Mike Coppinger of ESPN on February 9, is expected to be Haney’s third consecutive pay-per-view fight and is poised to be his most high-profile encounter yet, solidifying his status as one of the top boxers.
Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia have struck a deal to fight April 20 in Las Vegas for Haney’s junior welterweight championship, sources tell ESPN. Haney lands another marquee fight – his biggest yet – as he continues his star climb while Garcia lands his first title shot. pic.twitter.com/0tNwLqYdYW
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) February 9, 2024
The fight has been years in the making, stemming from their amateur days when they split a series of six bouts. Despite their history, Haney holds the edge as the more accomplished professional boxer, and a victory over Garcia would further enhance his impressive resume.
Devin Haney ready for first title defense at 140 against Ryan Garcia
Devin Haney, a 25-year-old fighter based in Las Vegas, boasts an impressive 31-0 record with 15 knockouts. In 2023, he secured a controversial yet thrilling decision victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko to retain his undisputed lightweight championship. Additionally, Haney achieved a dominant victory over Regis Prograis, marking his debut in the junior welterweight division and making him a two-division champion.
The upcoming bout against Garcia represents Devin Haney’s first defense of his 140-pound title. Haney is ranked as ESPN’s No. 6 pound-for-pound boxer and was the runner-up for fighter-of-the-year honors in 2023. His remarkable achievements have contributed to his rising star in the boxing world.
Ryan Garcia, with a record of 24-1 and 20 knockouts, is a good opponent for Haney. Known for his lightning-fast hands, Garcia faced Gervonta Davis in a highly anticipated super fight in April, generating over 1 million pay-per-view buys and more than $22 million at the gate. Although Garcia lost to Davis via seventh-round TKO due to a body shot, the upcoming match against Haney at 140 pounds provides Garcia with his first opportunity to vie for a world title.
Devin Haney, currently ranked as ESPN’s No. 1 boxer at 140 pounds, has a significant social media following with 2.6 million Instagram followers. In contrast, Ryan Garcia ranked No. 8, boasts an even larger following with 10.3 million followers.
As Devin Haney looks to add another name to his victim list, Ryan Garcia sees this match as a chance for an upset victory that could redefine his career, propelling him onto the pound-for-pound list and altering his trajectory in the boxing world. The bout promises to be a thrilling clash between two rising stars with a history dating back to their amateur rivalry.
