Prominent Boxing Figure Explains Business Side of Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney Shifting to NYC

After initial plans for Las Vegas, on February 22nd, Oscar De La Hoya revealed Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney would take place in NYC. Since Las Vegas hosted some of the biggest events lately, the decision surprised several fans. However, Garcia vs. Haney shifting to NYC was in connection with Canelo Alvarez‘s upcoming return to ‘Sin City’.

In this regard, after the chairperson of Matchroom Sports, prominent sportswriter-cum-journalist Dan Rafael explained the business side of the move. In a brief clip, he explained how the PBC did not want Garcia vs. Haney to affect Canelo’s sales. Soon, Devin Haney took to social media to declare he aligned with Dan.

Can’t afford Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney affecting Canelo Alvarez’s ticket sales

Only yesterday, speaking to FightHype, Eddie Hearn explained how Canelo Alvarez’s Cinco de Mayo plan impacted Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney. In his opinion, since Alvarez was returning to Las Vegas in May, shifting Haney vs. Garcia to NYC was a “brilliant move“. As per Hearn, with Canelo fighting in ‘Sin City’ only “two weeks later“, it was ideal that Garcia vs. Haney went to “another massive market” in Brooklyn. Here, Dan Rafael is in agreement with Hearn.

“The problem with Las Vegas for this particular date is April 20th is in very close proximity on the calendar to May 4th which is the date PBC has blocked out for Canelo Alvarez,” said Rafael. According to Rafael, the host and the promoter have “a blackout period” ahead of an event as they do not want somebody else taking their venue of choice and cannibalizing their potential ticket sales.

“So the PBC people did not want to allow that fight to be in either the MGM Grand or the T-Mobile Arena. They are the two main arenas that the MGM folks control. So, they got blocked out by the PBC having that date [for Canelo Alvarez’s return],” added Dan.

Also Read – Boxing Returns to NYC: Oscar De La Hoya Reveals Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia New Venue

Soon, Devin Haney took to X and reposted Dan’s video too. “The reason the fight [is] not happening n vegas is because they don’t wanna affect Canelo ticket sales..,” he wrote. With that said, what do you make of Garcia vs. Haney being shifted to NYC? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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