Although both men stated on social media that they were in negotiations to make a fight happen, Ryan Garcia has now revealed why a contest between him and Devin Haney has ultimately fallen by the wayside.
25-year-old Garcia is considered a hot young property in boxing. He has won 24 of 25 contests including a win over Brit Luke Campbell. The former WBC interim lightweight champion has just one loss to Gervonta Davis on his record.
Speaking to Inside Fighting, ‘King Ry’ was asked why he has moved on from making that fight with two-division and reigning WBC super lightweight titlist Haney in favour of pursuing a fight with WBA Champion Rolando Romero.
“Yeah, Devin lost his shot. He thought it was Haney-Garcia. He should have known it was Garcia-Haney. He did 35, 000 pay-per-view buys. [He should fight] Richardson Hitchins. I’m helping him out, I’m giving him his next move.”
He turned his attentions to ‘Rolly’ – the 29-year-old who beat Ismael Barroso for the vacant WBA super lightweight title in his most recent fight in May – now being in line for the biggest payday of his career.
“Romero got lucky. He’s a rolly polly, he just rolls into people.”
When asked about how he sees the fight going, Garcia didn’t hesitate to back himself,
“For sure, I destroy that man. I see his eyes closed.”
Finally, he was asked when he thought the fight would be.
“I believe this fight’s going to be in May, on May 5th.”
Fans will be disappointed at the prospect of Garcia-Haney no longer being on the table, but, should he make the fight and beat Romero, a unification could await.