Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia will lock horns for the WBC super lightweight world title on April 20th in Las Vegas, in what is undoubtedly the highlight of the American boxing calendar for 2024 so far.
Haney has established himself as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport over the past twelve months with wins over Vasiliy Lomachenko and Regis Prograis, and Garcia remains a commercial powerhouse despite falling short against Gervonta Davis last April.
The pair actually locked horns six times as teenagers in the amateur ranks, and the series is currently tied at three wins a piece.
However, Haney explained in a recent interview with DAZN Boxing that he feels he has improved vastly since then – whilst ‘King Ry’ has “stayed the same.”
“Ryan has always been a good fighter, ever since we were kids.
“But I feel like over time I’ve grown past him and gotten a lot better whilst Ryan has stayed the same, and that’s for me to show on April 20th.
“It’s going to catapult me. It’s going to prove that I’m the new face of boxing, that I’m the man and that I’m a huge draw.”
Not so long ago, it looked like a clash between Haney and Garcia was dead in the water, as the latter – seemingly on the advice of Floyd Mayweather Jr – decided to pursue a fight with WBA belt holder Rolando Romero instead.
Poetry in motion@Realdevinhaney showed there are levels to this in his near perfect win.#HaneyPrograis pic.twitter.com/UbecN4Rd0s
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 11, 2023
However, after it was announced that Romero will be locking horns with Isaac Cruz on March 30th, the social media sensation decided to revisit negotiations with Haney’s camp and a deal was quickly agreed.
‘The Dream’ goes into the fight a huge favourite, with many observers questioning whether Garcia actually has the capabilities in the ring to back up his undeniable profile.
He struggled at times in his comeback fight against Oscar Duarte last December, though ultimately emerged victorious by way of an eleventh round stoppage.
