The main event on April 20th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn promises fireworks. Undefeated WBC Super Lightweight Champion Devin Haney will defend his title against the charismatic Ryan Garcia. This fight goes beyond the trash talk that has dominated the pre-fight hype. These two fighters have a long history, dating back to their amateur days when they battled each other to a 3-3 record. Ryan Garcia vs Devin Haney under their coaches will finally settle the score as professionals.
Devin Haney's career has been on a steady upward trajectory since his 2019 victory over Zaur Abdullaev that secured him the WBC interim lightweight belt. His coach has been instrumental in this rise. Under his tutelage, Haney went on to dethrone George Kambosos Jr. in Australia, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion by capturing the WBA, IBF, WBO, and Ring belts. He then successfully defended his titles in a rematch against Kambosos and a close contest against boxing legend Vasiliy Lomachenko. Not content to rest on his laurels, Haney recently moved up in weight and added the WBC super lightweight title to his collection with a win over Regis Prograis.
Ryan Garcia's journey has been more turbulent. He turned pro in 2016 with a win over Luke Campbell for the interim WBC lightweight title. However, injuries and mental health struggles slowed his progress. After victories over Emmanuel Tagoe and Javier Fortuna, Garcia faced Gervonta Davis in a bout motivated more by finances than strategy. The fight was called off in the seventh round.
Following this setback, Garcia made a significant change, bringing in Derrick James as his new coach. This move signaled a fresh start for Garcia, leaving his previous trainer Joe Goossen behind. The partnership seems to be working, with Garcia scoring a knockout victory over Oscar Duarte in December. However, some question marks remain surrounding Garcia's mental state due to recent controversial social media activity. The New York Athletic Commission has even mandated a mental health evaluation, but the Ryan Garcia vs Devin Haney fight is still scheduled to proceed.
The April 20th showdown between Ryan Garcia vs Devin Haney is not just about two talented fighters. It's also a clash between coaching philosophies. Haney's coach has emphasized a methodical approach, building a well-rounded skillset and guiding him to strategic victories. Garcia's new coach seems focused on rekindling his raw talent and explosive power.
The upcoming fight promises an exciting spectacle, with the contrasting coaching styles adding an extra layer of intrigue. Will Haney's disciplined approach prevail, or will Garcia's knockout power, honed by his new coach, earn him the win?
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