Devin Haney looking to fight his mandatory in Ryan Garcia!
For quite some time, Ryan “KingRy” Garcia (21-0, 18 KO’s) has enjoyed a healthy online following. Right now he has nearly eight million followers on his Instagram account. Despite this immense fan appeal, many in the boxing industry did not believe in the KingRy hype train. However, now that Garcia has fought Luke Campbell (20-4, 16 KO’s), that perception may be changing soon. After stopping Campbell with a 7th round body shot, KingRy collected the interim WBC world lightweight title. With the title, he has now become the mandatory for WBC world lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (25-0, 15 KO’s), and Haney, who attended the Garcia v Campbell bout, wasted no time expressing his interest in a showdown!
GARCIA’S OPTIONS
Even with a belt, the Dream has been treated as if he is a high risk/low reward type of fight. ‘Regular’ WBA world lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (24-0, 23 KO’s) has regularly disparaged Haney but rarely talked about fighting him. WBO, WBA and IBF world lightweight champion Teofimo “Take Over” Lopez (16-0, 12 KO’s) says that fight is potentially five years away. And before 30 minutes could elapse since Garcia got his interim title, he was already calling for a fight with Tank over Haney.
The biggest knock against the Dream is that he has not fought anyone. Like it or not, this is basically one hundred percent fact. Other than a faded Yuriorkis Gamboa, who fought Haney coming off a loss and major injury, there is nothing to get overly excited about on the Dream’s resume. This is why Haney is so keen on obtaining a bout with Garcia. Now that KingRy has been legitimized in the eyes of many, he could provide the challenge that the boxing public craves.
The trouble for Haney now is the fact that a Garcia versus Davis bout is in much higher public demand. In a post-fight interview, KingRy asked the live audience who they would like to see him trade leather with next. The crowd on hand wasted no time in vigorously chanting “Tank! Tank! Tank!” Therefore, if Garcia wants to appease the fan base, it is looking like that is the fight that he will pursue.
POLITICS AND POTENTIAL PROCRASTINATION
Nevertheless, just because the fans want the bout does not mean it is going to happen. Just look at how long and loud the boxing fans have clamored for an Errol Spence Jr versus Terence Crawford dust-up! That bout is not even being discussed in any serious manner. Also, KingRy’s Golden Boy Promotion has maintained a long open rivalry with Tank’s Mayweather Promotions. It will come as no shock if their bitter history muddies any potential negotiations.
So, for the moment, we will all have to sit back and see what transpires next. Yet, there is a large segment of fight fans who believe that Davis is too far advanced for Garcia now anyhow. In the opinion of those in this group, it might come as a blessing in disguise if KingRy cannot get a bout with Tank. Either way, now that Garcia has his title, there will be an expectation for him to fight another big name. But just who will it be?
By: Bakari Simpson
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