“Nobody Knew Me: First Defeat to Ryan Garcia Woke Up Devin Haney to the Amateur Scene

Early encounters can define a fighter’s path. When Devin Haney first clashed with Ryan Garcia at the junior Golden Gloves, few knew his name. The date was set, the crowd was ready, and the stakes were high. Garcia, already a favorite with a vast following, seemed destined to dominate.

Yet, Haney, less experienced and underrecognized, faced him head-on. Their amateur record stands evenly matched at three wins each, promising a fierce rivalry. Did Haney’s early defeat shape his future in boxing? How did this pivotal match awaken a determined spirit within him?

Underdog Devin Haney makes a name for himself in the Mosque showdown

Scheduled for April 20th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the upcoming bout between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia is not just another fight—it’s a continuation of a storied rivalry that began in their amateur days. Reflecting on their first encounter in an interview with DAZN Boxing, Haney recalled, “The first time I ever heard of Ryan Garcia, I was on YouTube, just looking up the amateur circuit, the guys. Silver gloves around that time, that’s when I saw the name Ryan Garcia, and then I ended up fighting him.”

Their initial match at the junior Golden Gloves was more than a competition; it was a revelation for Haney. “I didn’t have that many fights, didn’t have much experience, and Ryan Garcia had a lot of experience. He had a big following, the Latinos, and we fought at a mosque, so all that. But it was the whole region; they knew Ryan Garcia. So, they were going crazy for him, but I didn’t know. Nobody knew me; they thought he was going to just blow me out of the water.”

Despite the overwhelming odds, Haney’s performance was memorable. “It was a good fight. Ryan won the fight, so that’s when it woke me up to the amateur boxing scene. People started to know me; people started to think, ‘oh okay, that was the guy that put up a great fight’.” This experience was crucial, catalyzing Haney’s future successes and his emergence on the professional scene.

Now, as they prepare to face off once again, the stakes are higher, and the spotlight brighter. In the same interview, he talked about whether Ryan’s the most difficult opponent he’s faced.

Haney is confident in neutralizing Garcia’s power with a superior IQ

In a candid segment of his interview with DAZN Boxing, Devin Haney addressed the question of whether Ryan Garcia is the most dangerous fighter he’s faced. Haney acknowledged Garcia’s strengths but widened the perspective. “You know Ryan Garcia has power, of course. But Regis Prograis has power too, Linares has power. A lot of these guys have had powers,” Haney remarked.

His confidence shone through as he outlined his advantages in the ring. “I’m just on a different level. So, he could bring all the power that he wants; I’mma bring the skills and the IQ that I got. And handicap him of his power, like I do,” he asserted, emphasizing his strategic approach to neutralizing Garcia’s formidable power.

What will this next chapter in their rivalry hold? As fans, are we about to witness a masterclass in boxing technique from Haney, or will Garcia’s power redefine the narrative?