Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia is seemingly all set to take place this weekend. In what has been a rather unusual buildup to the fight, we have seen a lot of twists and turns. However, according to trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas, the fight should not be going through.
For those unaware, after much deliberation, it was finally decided that Ryan Garcia would be taking on Devin Haney this year. Despite Floyd Mayweather’s advice, Garcia seemingly elected to go for Haney after a public poll. Now the matchup is all systems go for April 20 at the Barclays Center in New York.
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Naturally, there has been a lot of talk about Garcia’s behavior in the buildup to the fight. With him openly admitting to drinking and doing drugs, things have since taken a weirder turn with mentions of urban myths like the Bohemian Grove as well. All in all, the fans have been pretty convinced that something is up with the fighter. Despite all this, the fight is seemingly set to go ahead.
Teddy Atlas is disappointed with the NYSAC for allowing Ryan Garcia to fight
One man who is not too keen to have the fight go ahead is a former trainer and commentator, Teddy Atlas. In the past, Atlas worked closely with Mike Tyson during his younger years. According to the trainer, he believes that Ryan Garcia should be thoroughly examined before being allowed to fight.
Seeing that the sport is already a brutal one, the 67-year-old expressed his concern in a recent episode of his podcast, ‘THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas’.
“If the New York State Athletic Commission, which I called for, a month to go, if they did not have him reevaluated by some of their doctors, and I mean on the psychiatric level, not just the physical level, not just with his pulse and his heart rate and all that kind of stuff when you’re showing that kind of conduct that begs to ask, ‘Are you okay mentally? Are you okay before you get in the ring?'”
“There’s only one reason why we have commissions. To ensure the welfare and health of a fighter going into a ring. To make sure that mentally and physically they are of good sound mind and body. I don’t know if you can say that about (Ryan) Garcia if you didn’t evaluate him with the right people”
Thus, Atlas is furious with the New York State Athletic Commission for allowing this fight to go ahead. Whilst he does consider the possibility of Garcia’s actions being a deliberate theatre act, Teddy believes that the NYSAC is on the hook should the 25-year-old suffer some serious injuries against Devin Haney.
Bill Haney suggests that Ryan Garcia is putting on an elaborate act
For the most part, fans are very keen to see how Ryan Garcia comes out in the fight against Devin Haney. With the latter’s WBC Super Lightweight title also on the line, many consider the fight a ‘must-win’ for Garcia. However, as Teddy Atlas suggested, Garcia has reportedly been in camp for only 5 weeks coming into what is the biggest fight of his career.
That, coupled with his erratic and problematic behavior, has led many to believe that there is something truly serious afoot. At the same time, Ryan’s actions have not deterred the preparations made by Devin Haney and his father Bill Haney. During the press conference, Bill also revealed that he was well aware of Garcia’s actions being a potential ploy to try and throw Devin off.
“While he’s continued to make you guys think that he might be crazy or delusional, in fashion, because with (George) Kambosos, because we gave him the Art of War, I have a book for Ryan Garcia today. Psychology for Dummies.”
Upon getting the book, Garcia immediately launched it off the stage.
“Well, that’s what Kambosos did, you saw what happened to him.”
“So, all this game that he was playing on the people, I don’t know if he thought he was playing on you guys, but it didn’t work with me and Devin.”
Either way, Devin and his team are well prepared for whatever comes on Saturday night. Mostly, the fans want to see if what Ryan Garcia has been doing is really an act or the effects of some substance. Although it has been entertaining to watch, there are many genuinely concerned for the fighter’s health.
