Light welterweight contender Arnold Barboza Jr. has been added to the April 20th on DAZN PPV event and could step in to replace Devin Haney or Ryan Garcia if either of them are unable to go that night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The one that many believe the new Golden Boy Promotions signee Barboza Jr. (29-0, 11 KOs) replace is Ryan, who is sounding and acting like he’s not committed to his headliner fight against WBC light welterweight champion Haney.
If Ryan pulls out, Barboza Jr. will challenge Haney for his WBC title. Ryan’s comments about drinking alcohol and smoking weed sent alarm bells off, and the way he looked disengaged during the two press conferences this week in New York and Los Angles, it was a clear sign something isn’t right with him.
Ryan looked tired during his two press conferences, appearing irritable and lacking the energy to answer questions. Some boxing fans wondered if Ryan was hung over because he was too young to be drained the way he was.
The former Top Rank fighter Barboza (29-0, 11 KO) fought last January, defeating Xolisani Ndongeni by an eighth-round stoppage in an impressive performance.
Main Event Replacement?
“I’m fighting on April 20th, no matter what. I’m showcasing no matter who it is,” said Arnold Barboza Jr. to Fino Boxing when asked about his thoughts on being a potential replacement opponent if Ryan Garcia pulls out of his April 20th fight against Devin Haney.
That would be a major gift for Barboza Jr. if he were to get a title shot against Haney, considering he’d been shut out of opportunities during his years with Top Rank. Teofimo Lopez refused to fight him for some reason.
“I shook Bill Haney’s hand, and I told him, ‘If it happens if I’m fighting your son, I’m coming for that a**,” said Barboza.
“Devin Haney, I feel like he’s hungry. I think he’s ready. Ryan gave me some off vibes. He was there, but he wasn’t there. I’m hoping the fight happens [Haney vs. Garcia]. I’m not praying for nothing to happen. Either way, I’m fighting in the card.
“I’ve never sparred them [Ryan and Haney], and that’s fine. I feel like Ryan has had an easy road. For me, who has had to earn his way up [it’s different],” said Barboza.
