If promoter Eddie Hearn gets his way, a mega-fight between Devin Haney and contender Ryan Garcia could be scheduled for April 20th on DAZN PPV.
Hearn hopes to restart the negotiations between Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) and Haney (31-0, 15 KOs), which recently fell apart when Ryan decided he wanted to fight Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero.
Negotiation Hurdles
Haney’s reported 50K PPV numbers for his fight last December on DAZN against Regis Prograis could be a stumbling block in the negotiations.
Haney and his dad, Bill, could price themselves out of the negotiations with Ryan, and wind up having to defend against his WBC mandatory Sandor Martin.
Devin holds the WBC 140-lb title, but his belt means very little when negotiating with the popular Ryan Garcia, who has 11 million Instagram followers. In 2024, he took part in the biggest PPV event of the year against Gervonta Davis.
“I just think that originally Ryan Garcia wanted that fight [against Devin Haney], and I was disappointed when he switched to Rolly, and obviously the Rolly fight is not happening now,” said Eddie Hearn to Boxing Social about his interest in putting a mega-fight together between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney for April 20th.
Can Social Media Hype Translate?
“Ryan Garcia wants to be in a PPV, and if you look at his actual PPV options, Devin Haney is there to be made,” Hearn continued about his focus on making the Garcia-Haney fight next.
Will Ryan vs. Haney sell on DAZN PPV? It might not, and that would be disappointing for Hearn. Haney isn’t a proven PPV attraction, and Ryan only has the Tank Davis fight as proof that he can sell.
“I had a quick message to Ryan last night, and I said to him, ‘Your timing is great because I’m going to Las Vegas tomorrow. Devin and Bill [Haney] is there.
“‘Sometimes things just slot in and work out.’ So, I think that’s a really natural fight to make, and I hope everybody can get sensible and I hope we can get it made.
The Ideal Date and Urgency
“April 20th is the potential date for PPV. That’s the one that makes sense. If I’m advising Devin, I’m saying, ‘Let’s get a deal made.’ Ryan will be difficult because it’s all difficult. Everyone is difficult, but if he really wants the fight, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t get it made,” said Hearn.
