Self-Proclaimed ‘Face of Boxing’ Ryan Garcia Blames Devin Haney for Poor Ticket Sales

Empty seats and echoing silence – that’s the unwelcome reality facing the upcoming fight between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. Ticket sales for the April 20th showdown at the Barclays Center are abysmal, with many seats still available despite initial asking prices ranging from a head-scratching $500 to a not-so-cheap $300 for the nosebleeds.

This lackluster response comes as a surprise considering Garcia’s recent, bold claim: he’s the new “face of boxing,” surpassing even the legendary Canelo Alvarez. So, what’s causing this disconnect? Is it all because of Devin Haney?

Is Ryan Garcia single-handedly carrying the promotion?

Ryan Garcia recently voiced his concerns over the sluggish ticket sales for his highly anticipated fight against Devin Haney. “I mean, a lot of things can affect it,” Garcia began, indicating a broader spectrum of issues. Yet, he quickly narrowed down the blame. “But again I don’t think that anything I said affected the fight. It’s more so on him, Devin Haney is not a draw, and I definitely have been carrying this promotion on my back by myself.”

Garcia didn’t stop there. He addressed criticisms regarding Haney’s fighting prowess, especially the power behind his punches. “Nobody wants to watch a guy that supposedly can’t crack an egg,” he remarked. Though he cautiously added, “We’re not going to underestimate him… but if you don’t really have power, why don’t you go after him, right?” This reveals Garcia’s strategic consideration for Haney’s capabilities, despite the public perception.

Furthermore, Ryan Garcia highlighted a critical issue affecting ticket sales: the pricing. He openly criticized the high costs, showing empathy towards fans’ financial constraints. “I think personally the prices were very high and I want everybody to be in the building,” he explained. Garcia stated, “I don’t think that a lot of Americans can afford $500 tickets, $300 tickets for the top row. I wouldn’t even pay that, and I have enough money to do that.” He not only showcases his stance on pricing but also aligns with the average fan’s perspective. But what exactly did Ryan say about him being the face of boxing?

King Ryan crowns himself

Confidence bordering on audacious? Ryan Garcia isn’t shying away from the spotlight. Days before his fight, he declared himself the

“face of boxing,” surpassing even the legendary Canelo Alvarez. “In my heart, I’m the face of boxing,” he boldly claimed to DAZN Boxing. Garcia believes his influence extends far beyond the ring, citing his social media presence and personal life as reasons fans connect with him more than Canelo.“People don’t even just talk about my boxing, they talk about my life,” he observed. This, according to Ryan Garcia, elevates him to a level unreachable by other fighters, even Canelo: “I touch places that Canelo can’t touch,” he confidently asserted.

Only time will tell if Garcia can walk the talk and deliver a performance that justifies his bold claims. Will his charisma and fighting style be enough to fill the Barclays Center, or will fans stay glued to their couches, unconvinced by the self-proclaimed king?

Read more: After Passing Mandatory Mental Health Evaluation, Ryan Garcia Guarantees a Devin Haney Knockout