WBC super-lightweight champion Devin Haney was on the wrong side of a one-sided upset performance at the weekend, losing his undefeated record as a result but still retaining his world title due to pre-fight issues. Now, Haney has addressed concerns regarding the fight and explained his plans for the future.
Ryan Garcia’s antics during the build-up to the contest had the whole world fooled, playing possum in the most abstract way we have ever seen, faking his own death and drinking a beer on the weigh-in scales, on which he came into the bout over three pounds overweight.
That drama on Friday night seemed to confirm fans’ suspicions of Garcia’s unstable mental wellbeing and that he had not taken the fight seriously, losing the opportunity to become a world champion.
Yet, on Saturday night, the tipping of the scales proved to be either a masterstroke of mind games or a damning physical advantage, but either way it resulted in an unforeseen beatdown of Devin Haney, who hit the canvas for the first, second and third time of his career on his way to a majority-decision defeat.
On his Instagram, Devin Haney admitted that he believes the weight played a factor in the outcome of the fight and voiced his demands for a rematch at a ‘fair’ weight in the future, adding that more detailed plans will be revealed once he has completed his delayed Ramadan.
“First off I wanna say Alhamdulillah Allah is the perfect planner and I trust his plan no matter what. I came up short but this boxing, and if anyone knows me – they know that I am a true competitor, and always wanted to test my skills against the best fighters in the world.
Ryan, despite the circumstances was victorious that night and that’s fine. I do feel like weight played a role in it but only Allah knows. I would love to run it back and give the fans a FAIR fight within an agreed weight.
With that being said, I am currently enjoying time with my family & friends as well as making up my days of Ramadan. Thank you to all my supporters & everyone involved in making this event happen. After I finish making up my days of Ramadan, I will tell you guys what’s next!
I appreciate everyone that has reached out I am overwhelmed with love! I will be back better than ever Insha’Allah.
Thank you Oscar & Golden Boy, Eddie Hearn & all of Matchroom, DAZN, Mauricio & the WBC & all of DHP [for a] great night of boxing Alhamdulillah.”
Both Garcia and Haney are now being linked with a move up to welterweight, but it seems as though the rematch will have to wait, as ‘King Ry’ eyes up a world champion at 147lbs.
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