Devin Haney takes on Ryan Garcia at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a non-title bout. The boxing bout was scheduled to be Haney’s first WBC super lightweight title defense. However, since Garcia did not make weight and was over 3 lbs overweight, the title bout was turned into a non-title one.
A lot of build-up followed the February announcement of this fight. Garcia’s antics almost made fans believe that the fight would not go on as scheduled as they were concerned for his mental health. Garcia’s posts on social media were alarming. His antics leading up to the fight were not normal. However, the fight seems good to go and Garcia has been looking sharp in his training.
‼️ Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia wild FINAL FACE-OFF ahead of tomorrow night…
[🎥 @DAZNBoxing] pic.twitter.com/NdDquFxGtx
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 19, 2024
Let’s take a look at what the pros think about this highly anticipated fight. Haney or Garcia? Who wins according to the pro fighters?
Pros who predict a Devin Haney win against Ryan Garcia
Several former and current boxers have predicted a win for Haney over Garcia. George Groves, speaking to Betway, claimed, “I think Haney beats Garcia… They’re both good talents but Garcia has got that quit in him, and he’s all over the place on social media.”
The former WBA super-middleweight champion thinks Garcia is too distracted, “I think Haney is working hard, but I don’t know how Garcia can be. Maybe that’s the curse of a massive following on social media, it’s too distracting and you have to live up to it. Haney wins.”
George Kambosos Jr., who has faced two losses against Haney, feels similarly. “His antics [Ryan Garcia] are pretty out there,” Kambosos told FightHype.com. “People are looking from the outside and are saying, ‘What is wrong with this kid?’ And I think it is affecting how good of a fight this is.
“What’s going to happen in that fight? Devin will win that fight,” predicted Kambosos.
Body shot stoppage tomorrow nigga gone throw up alcohol
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) April 20, 2024
WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson also predicted a Haney win. He took to X and wrote, “Body shot stoppage tomorrow…”
Mexican boxer Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz told the media, “I think Haney is going to win.”
Lastly, American boxing coach Teddy Atlas was also on Haney’s side. On an episode of his podcast ‘THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas,’ the coach claimed Garcia will not last more than six rounds against Haney.
Pros who predict a Ryan Garcia win against Devin Haney
Garcia (24-1) is not the favorite for this fight as many believe that he is not in the right mental state for a big fight. However, he still has some big names behind him.
Speaking to Boxing Scene, Luke Campbell said, “People are talking like he’s already lost the fight and he’s been done—and done bad… If Ryan Garcia brings his A-game, at times he could be too much for Devin.”
Canelo Alvarez also believes Garcia has what it takes to defeat Haney. He said, “If he [Garcia] is at 100%, of course, he can beat him [Haney]”
Boxing legend Manny Pacquaio is also siding with Garcia. When he was asked for his prediction he said Garcia would win and he also hoped that the California native would win by knockout.
