In a whirlwind of negotiations, young boxing sensation Ryan Garcia and rival Devin Haney are finally set to face off in the ring on April 20. Despite twists and turns in the matchmaking process, Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, remains optimistic. The journey was not without its challenges, with Garcia initially opting for a bout with Rolando Romero, and a deal with Haney almost slipping through the cracks.
However, by the end of January, the dust had settled, and both fighters expressed their willingness to settle their differences inside the ring. With the upcoming showdown almost finalized on paper, De La Hoya contemplates the possibility of another blockbuster event. Interestingly, in the latest update on the situation, Bill Haney has made a revelation on the existence or absence of a rehydration clause within the fight contract. So will there be a rehydration clause like it did in Garcia’s fight against Gervonta Davis?
Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garica will not happen at catchweight
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Last year in April, Ryan Garcia suffered the biggest loss of his career at the hands of Gervonta Davis who sent him to his knees with a powerful left hook to his body. However, the fight did have some controversial points, including a 10-pound rehydration clause that Davis had asked to be included at the last minute. Many had since then attributed Garcia’s diminished performance to the addition of the rehydration clause that left him depleted.
However, it appears that as Garcia prepares to fight for Devin Haney’s WBC super lightweight title on April 20th, the same clause will not be present in the contract for the bout. Boxing reporter Micheal Benson shared the revelation made by Bill Haney, Devin’s father, on Twitter.
Benson wrote, “Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia on April 20th has no rehydration clause, Haney’s father/trainer Bill Haney has confirmed. Fight also has no catchweight and is taking place at 140lbs for Haney’s WBC super-lightweight world title.”
Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia on April 20th has no rehydration clause, Haney's father/trainer Bill Haney has confirmed. Fight also has no catchweight and is taking place at 140lbs for Haney's WBC super-lightweight world title.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 12, 2024
Moreover, Ryan Garcia has already fought two fights at 140 lbs, including his most recent fight against Oscar Duarte in December last year. Interestingly, this will be his first title shot, so the stakes will be at an all-time high. So much so that the two fighters can’t wait to pounce on each other, as was evident from their recent scuffle in Las Vegas.
Garcia and Haney in a confrontation…
Haney, with an unblemished 31-0 professional record, stands as the former undisputed world champion at lightweight. On the other hand, Garcia, with a record of 24-1, seeks redemption. The confirmation of their tiebreaker fight from their amateur days, co-promoted by Golden Boy and Matchroom Boxing, marks a pivotal moment in their careers.
Garcia, expressing the significance of the bout, shared on Instagram, “This fight for me means everything.” However, tensions escalated when Garcia confronted Haney in Las Vegas. Engaging in heated trash talk, Garcia verbally challenged Haney’s capabilities, asserting, “I’m gonna beat you! P****!”
View this post on Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Haney retaliated, claiming to have dominated Davis in sparring. He said, “I beat the s*** out of ‘Tank’. I’ll beat the s*** out of you.” The verbal sparring reached a physical climax when Garcia pushed Haney, leading to a scuffle between the two teams.
Watch This Story – Everything You Need to Know About Ryan Garcia’s Lawsuit With Oscar De La Hoya
Despite the intense confrontation, the fight is undeniably set to be a blockbuster, showcasing the animosity and anticipation surrounding this long-awaited showdown. The boxing world awaits eagerly as these two rivals prepare to settle their score in the ring come April.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think about the upcoming bout? Tell us in the comments below.