Following a highly anticipated showdown between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, Garcia emerged victorious via a majority decision at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Despite being penalized for punching on the break, Garcia managed to secure the win after dropping Haney three times during the fight. One judge scored the bout as a draw, highlighting the competitive nature of the match.
After the fight, Haney and his father took to social media to address their fans, dispel rumors of a broken jaw, and express Haney's willingness to accept defeat graciously. Haney also subtly referenced Garcia's weight miss, hinting at a potential rematch in the future.
However, the possibility of a rematch hangs in the balance as Garcia indicated his reluctance to fight below 143 pounds, deeming it 'physically impossible.' This poses a dilemma for Haney, the current WBC Super Lightweight champion, as Garcia's weight miss meant Haney's title was not at stake in their recent bout.
If Haney aims to pursue a rematch at 147 pounds, he may need to vacate his title at 140 pounds, potentially delaying his quest to become the undisputed champion in that weight class. With other champions like Teofimo Lopez, Subriel Matias, and Isaac Cruz holding titles at 140 pounds, Haney would have to navigate a challenging path to achieve his goal.
In the aftermath of his loss to Garcia, Haney is expected to regroup on the West Coast to recover both physically and mentally. Despite the setback, at 25 years old, Haney still has ample time to bounce back and reclaim his status as a top fighter. Securing another world title, possibly before the year ends, could serve as a significant step towards reestablishing his position among the sport's elite competitors.
