Ryan Garcia secures upset over Devin Haney but misses out on WBC title for being over weight limit | Boxing News
Ryan Garcia secured a stunning upset over Devin Haney, knocking his fellow
American down three times en route to a majority decision victory at the
Barclays Center.
Garcia had missed the 10st (63.5kg) light-welterweight limit by 3.2lbs (1.45kg) so was not eligible to win the WBC title, while his recent erratic tweets and behaviour in fight week led many to question whether the contest should go ahead.
But Garcia floored his rival in the seventh, 10th and 11th rounds, enough to earn the nod from two judges by scores of 115-109 and 114-110 while a third saw it 112-112 in Brooklyn.
Garcia, who had a point deducted in the seventh for punching on the break, has now won 25 of his 26 bouts and two in a row since his only professional defeat to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 12 months ago.
Haney, the former undisputed world lightweight champion who won a 140lb title with a dominant points win over Regis Prograis in December, slipped to his first defeat in 32 fights.
“Come on, guys, you really thought I was crazy? You all lost your own minds,” Garcia said in his post-fight interview. “You guys overegg everything.”
Haney said he was disappointed with his performance.
“But I showed that I can fight after a knockdown and getting hurt,” he added.
“I would love a rematch. I gave him a shot, it’s only right he gives me a shot back. He didn’t make weight, so I’m still the champion. We can run it back.”
Story of the fight in pictures
Garcia put on an impressive display against Haney in Brooklyn
Haney was knocked down three times by Garcia in the seventh, 10th and 11th rounds
Garcia towers over Haney after knocking him down once again
Garcia walks away after flooring Haney at the Barclays Center
Garcia celebrates defeating Haney by majority decision but was over the weight limit to claim the WBC crown
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