Saturday at the Barclays Center, Ryan Garcia didn’t just win this SHOCKEr; he conducted a master class in how to turn a hyped-up contender into a glorified punching bag. In a stunning performance that probably left the ticket holders feeling they owed him more money, Garcia floored Devin Haney three times, transforming what was billed as a competitive bout into a live-action meme.
While Garcia was painting his masterpiece, Haney seemed to be there just to provide the canvas. By the time the dust settled and Garcia was handed a majority decision with scores that read like the judges were reluctantly acknowledging Haney was still technically present—115-109, 114-110, and the ever-puzzling 112-112— it was clear that we’d witnessed less of a fight and more of a one-man exhibition.
Garcia, coming out of Victorville, Calif., threw a left hook so powerful early in the first round, you’d think it came with a reset button for Haney’s career plans. After that, it was less a boxing match and more a question of how many times can one man hit the floor without it being considered a workout routine.
Reflecting on his near-flawless victory, Garcia remarked, “I put unnecessary pressure on myself to end it early. Every time I had him in trouble, I lost my composure. I think the referee should have ended it. He was clearly hurt.” It was a moment of insight that perhaps revealed Garcia isn’t just a fighter, but also a humanitarian, concerned about the unnecessary continuation of Haney’s punishment.
Oscar De La Hoya, never one to shy away from the understatement of the century, declared Garcia as having “shocked the world” and solidified his status as “a leading figure in boxing.” Meanwhile, the rest of us are left wondering if Haney’s corner was just there to make sure he remembered his lines in this drama where Garcia was the undisputed star.
Haney, on the other hand, might need to consider if his boxing gloves came with a return policy because whatever plan he walked in with seemed to dissolve upon contact with Garcia’s fists. If boxing doesn’t pan out, perhaps a career in physical comedy could be his backup, given his knack for hitting the deck with such theatrical timing.
In a night that saw other fighters trading blows in earnest, none could overshadow the spectacle of Garcia’s dominance and Haney’s impersonation of a man who just realized he’s in the wrong sport. As the lights dimmed on the Barclays Center, the only thing left was to ponder just how high Garcia’s star could rise and if Haney might need a map to find his way back to the drawing board.
