Devin Haney Should Not Undermine Ryan Garcia Because He Has Not Been the Same Since Gervonta Davis Loss

Devin Haney cruises through against Ryan Garcia, winning on point. That’s how the majority of fans visualize the showdown between the childhood foes going down this April 20 on DAZN. But you should hold on to that thought and reimagine the complete scenario. Is it this simple for ‘The Dream’ to go up against a man who is equal in scores with him? Is the champion’s boxing prowess enough to put out the burning fire of the challenger?

The odds and pundits have it in favor of the WBC super lightweight champion. A stacked resume, an unblemished record, and mastery over technical aspects all set Haney apart. Meanwhile, speed, power, and the will to impose himself on his rivals rage hot inside ‘KingRy’. But the pressing question remains. It’s not whether Garcia stands tall after he connects and puts Haney down for the ten count. It’s whether he connects at all.

Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia: method vs. madness

George Kambosos Jr., Vasily Lomachenko, and Regis Prograis were all left in the dust after Haney worked his charm as a highly skilled boxer. He is gradually peaking as he brings skills to the table when matched. Jabs and fighting on the backfoot come along with the package. However, Ryan’s speed and power pose a significant danger to the boxing standard Haney holds close to his heart.

Despite brushing aside the veterans and prominent names, Haney hasn’t fought anyone remotely as powerful as Ryan since turning pro. Moreover, the 31-0 record holder has been hurt by Lomachenko, Jorge Linares, and Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz. It’s a clear tussle between Haney’s weak chin and Garcia’s thunderous left hook.

While Haney can dance around using his back-step approach, he can’t keep it moving all day. With Garcia’s hand speed, he is sure to land at some point, and a shot at the chin is all it takes. But only power and hand speed are not enough. You need high-level footwork to keep everything in tandem. What else does the 24-1 record holder need, then?

Ryan Garcia’s supposed upturn after the Gervonta Davis fight

Combinations, sharpness, and skills. Garcia needs to employ all three. Otherwise, Haney’s staple jab will keep him at bay, and whenever Garcia tries to force his way in, the WBC champion will clutch and hold him. If Garcia of the Gervonta Davis fight had shown up, he would have failed. But we now have a new, keen-to-learn Garcia since that defeat.

Since dropping to the fight, Garcia has moved up to 140. With more bulk on his frame, he has more chances to build up his power and not sacrifice it while trying to make the weight. Fans witnessed the same when Garcia punched his way to victory against Oscar Duarte after his Floyd Mayweather-esque roll didn’t reap benefits.

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In addition, the Victorville native’s eagerness to add more weapons to his arsenal is apparent. Despite his new skills being far from polished and adjustments still not sinking deep into his game yet, the fans can expect him to come into the squared ring with something similar. A loss has necessitated all these changes, and Garcia realizes his hand speed and his left hook have taken him only this far. He needs to mix it up to go further. While Garcia’s hitting remains stingy on the opponent’s flesh, he needs to match it up with elite footwork, and that’s where Derrick James comes in.

‘KingRy’: a finished product under Derrick James

Where does Haney separate himself from Garcia? Undoubtedly, it’s the tools that Haney has at his disposal. He has developed multifaceted skills, while Garcia got spoiled with power. But he has Derrick James in his corner and is rounding up his game and working on the fundamentals. Even if you spot the challenger unloading a shoulder roll, it will be much cleaner.

James is known for his offensive skillset, and with Garcia, he has a perfect pupil. You can expect the famed trainer to iron out the flaws that Ryan exhibited in his last fight. With new tools and some issues ironed out, you have an opponent antithetical to Haney. Garcia will cause problems for Haney in the fight, and when you factor in their history, Haney has to tread lightly.

Garcia has already lit up Haney, and a destructive blow is always around the corner unless Haney takes away his left hook and negates his hand speed. Therefore, the champion might have to lose his strap if he fails to acknowledge the threat in his face, even if the fans, pundits, and odds sing his name.

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What do you make of the upcoming fight between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia? Do you think the challenger will pose an impossible task for the champion this time? Let us know in the comments below.