The title of this preview and prediction article is a nod to the circus show that Ryan Garcia performed in leading up to this DAZN PPV on Saturday. Are you ready for Ryan? This boxing podcaster feels like it’s kind of bad for Devin Haney considering how fans will treat this win if he raises his hand. To do. On the other hand, there is no doubt that as Haney moves up the pound-for-pound list, his profile has and will continue to increase.
(Photo by Golden Boy / Chris Equeda)
Let’s take a look at the highlights of this matchup between Devin and Ryan. What is being called Game 7 seems like a hoax by Ryan Garcia. Boxing experts are basically just giving “King Lie” a chance to beat the puncher. Of course, the Game 7 metaphor stems from the pair’s six encounters over the years in the amateur ranks. They all tied for 3 wins and 3 losses, but it’s clear that Devin Haney has a more established professional career at this point. Haney earned a narrow decision victory over Vasily Lomachenko. He had two decisive wins over George Kambosos and a dominant victory in his last fight against Regis Prograis in a new weight class.
Garcia’s best win was over Luke Campbell. Other than that, he has some nice names. Obviously, he had a chance to make a big statement by defeating Gervonta Davis last spring, but he fell short. Ryan got off to a fast start, but he fell into the trap of the heavy-handed, counter-punching Tank Davis. The elephant in the room that Garcia refused to take a knee to fight will always be there. In the minds of most hardcore fans, but especially casual fans, Ryan is a quitter, and those same people want him to repeat Saturday.
The jab is overused as a talking point, and let’s be honest, there’s a good reason for that. We already know that Devin Haney’s jab is one of the best in the business. Haney’s punch selection has increased in variety in recent fights, but it starts and ends with a jab. The real question is, can Ryan Garcia dust off his jab and use it to set up his power punches? Haney lands jabs to his body, chest, and head. It also tends to move his head offline or lower his level to avoid counterattacks after landing.
Ryan Garcia needs to use his jab well and be patient instead of just rushing in for the kill. Anyone who has seen Garcia fight knows that he has a habit of keeping his chin up, so the jab will also be his best defense. Garcia has the advantage of hand speed and power punching, but it all depends on how he utilizes those attributes. When this boxing addict uses the word patient, it doesn’t mean no pressure. It has to be a smarter pressure than what we’ve seen in tank battles.
No one will mistake Lomachenko’s footwork and work rate for Ryan Garcia. That said, in matchups against Loma, Jorge Linares, and Joseph Diaz, Haney left his left-handed targets wide open. Haney steps in on his back foot as he jabs frequently, leaving a large gap perfect for Garcia’s left hook. Speaking of footwork and ring IQ, Devin Haney is going to win this fight.
Devin’s ability to use his distance, upper body movement, and high-level footwork to stay out of range of incoming shots will be the difference. For those who believe that Ryan Garcia’s antics and mental health issues are all just part of his promotion, he’s sitting there as quite the underdog. The minimum value is +475. He’s +550 at his BetMGM and a whopping +675 elsewhere.
If Ryan can land something big in the first few rounds, he has a good chance of winning this fight. The only realistic path to victory for him is by knockout or multiple knockdowns. If Haney were to sustain repeated injuries, he would be put in the uncomfortable position of dropping down on the scorecards and being forced to become an aggressive fighter. This boxing pervert would put a doe on Garcia just because of the odds. But my real money is on Devin Haney who is an overall better boxer and that will be evident in the ring that night. There is also the possibility of a late TKO, but I don’t think about that.
My official prediction is unanimously Devin Haney.
Podcast link: https://t.co/fBHSO1kojk
Side note: The fight with the closest theoretical odds this weekend is John “Scrappy” Ramirez taking on David Jimenez.
By Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperradio Follow us on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
