California native Ryan Garcia showcased resilience and strategic sharpness in his boxing match, securing a thrilling majority decision win against Devin Haney. The two competed for the Super Lightweight Championship (140 lbs) with the winner taking home the World Boxing Council (WBC) belt. Despite being considered an underdog at +500 odds, Garcia faced Haney, the heavy favorite at -800 odds, while dealing with personal challenges and excessive drinking which only added depth to the showdown.
The atmosphere before the fight was intense. Garcia was unable to make weight and lost his opportunity to win the WBC belt and bragging rights to the title. He paid a fine of $1.5 million for being three pounds above the limit, losing a bet he had made with Haney.
Garcia’s pre-fight antics added to the tension with him drinking alcohol during training and at weigh-in. The media referred to these incidents as “manic episodes,” which he later revealed was a ploy to unsettle his opponent. In contrast, Haney stayed dedicated and composed, disregarding Garcia as a fighter saying he was a C-class boxer.
The battle was a rollercoaster with ups and downs in momentum. Garcia came out strong, nearly knocking down Haney in the 1st round with his aggressive boxing style. However, Haney managed to gather himself and out maneuver his opponent from the 2nd to the 6th round. Things took a turn in the 7th round, when Garcia landed a left hook that brought Haney down; although, the call was reversed, as he received a penalty for throwing a punch during the break.
Despite facing a challenge, Garcia persevered. In the 9th to 12th round, he exerted pressure on Haney, resulting in knockdowns and noticeable damage to the opponent’s face.
In the end, Garcia came out on top with a majority decision victory, a triumph that defied beliefs as he was the heavy underdog. His risk paid off not only in terms of the fight result but also financially speaking. Garcia publicly shared winning over $50 million from the event, further fueled by a personal $2 million wager he placed on himself that brought in $12 million in rewards. This win and all the drama surrounding it have certainly altered Garcia’s career trajectory and public perception, demonstrating that what happens outside the ring can be just as crucial as what occurs inside it when it comes to boxing.
