Strength coach Evins Tobler says Ryan Garcia is an “Instagram” fighter, and Devin Haney will stop him if their fight comes off next. If this fight comes off, it will be perceived as a money grab by fans, with it being sold on PPV, likely with a price tag of $75.
Ryan is completely unproven to be fighting for a world title, and he’s done nothing to redeem himself after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis.
This fight would be taken seriously by boxing fans if Ryan showed that he can be world-class opposition at 140 by defeating someone noteworthy, like one of these fighters:
– Gary Antuanne Russell
– Arnold Barboza Jr.
– Jose Ramirez
– Richardson Hitchins
The PPV question: Will Haney-Garcia sell?
Haney vs. Ryan is not a fight that has sporting value to it. This fight is more like a YouTuber or Influencer type of match-up, taking advantage of Ryan Garcia’s 11 million Instagram followers to purchase it on PPV. These aren’t boxing fans.
Haney can’t sell PPVs, as this generation of boxing fans can’t connect with his safety-first, dull Mayweather-esque style of fighting, which belonged more in a different era when people didn’t mind paying to watch non-entertaining fighters.
With PPV so expensive, fans want to see drama, and Haney’s fighting style doesn’t interest them. That’s why Devin needs Ryan to help bring in the PPVs because he can’t do it on his own for his fights.
Tobler, who works for former WBC light welterweight champion Regis Prograis, feels that the 25-year-old Ryan (24-1, 20 KOs) isn’t the real deal and lacks the athleticism that Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) possesses.
It’s difficult to disagree with Tobler’s view about Ryan Garcia after watching him perform in his last two fights against Oscar Duarte and Gervonta Davis.
Those two fights showed that Ryan doesn’t belong ranked in the top 15 at 135 or 140. What’s strange is that Ryan moved up to light welterweight for his last fight, but instead of fighting at 140.
That suggests that Ryan is just being ramped up for a quick payday before he exits the sport. Take the money and run, and the fans get ripped off.
Ryan Garcia: Instagram fighter or real contender?
“Ryan, to me, is really not what I like to say is the boxer. I’m going to take Haney in that fight,” said trainer Evins Tobler to Thaboxingvoice, picking WBC light welterweight champion Devin Haney to defeat Ryan Garcia if that match takes place.
“I don’t see Garcia dealing with Haney at no level. Haney is going to box him. Haney, I believe, is going to stop [Ryan] Garcia for sure. He’s [Ryan] not as thick. He stands straight up. He’s not as athletic as Haney. Haney outclasses Garcia.
“Garcia is getting too much hype, man. He’s one of those Instagram fighters. He’s not the real deal,” said Tobler about Ryan.
