Devin Haney is confident in his victory over Ryan Garcia. The latter is also certain to win. At the final pre-fight press conference, the fighters argued over who would come out on top. The pair will meet in a 12-round world championship match on Saturday, April 20th. The match will be broadcast live on PPV from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) successfully defended his WBC 140-pound title for the first time. The undefeated 25-year-old from San Francisco promised to make the fight look easy.
“That time is very close,” Devin Haney said. “It’s been a long time. The story is almost over. This is not an easy fight, but I’m going to make it look easy. Any strange behavior will betray him.”
Devin Haney | Golden Boy/Chris Esqueda
Ryan Garcia: Ready to kick**
Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) of Victorville, California will make his first attempt at a world title. The Los Angeles-based one-time losing candidate said he is strong and ready.
“I said everything,” Ryan Garcia said in his final press conference before the game. “I don’t know what else to add. What do you want me to do? I’ve already done everything and now I’m ready to kick a** in the ring. I’m on fire. I am strong.
Ryan Garcia Golden Boy/Chris Esqueda
Ryan Garcia Golden Boy/Chris Esqueda
The press conference also featured a look at the fighters who will fight on the Haney vs. Garcia undercard. Undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr. (29-0, 11 KOs) of Long Beach, California will take on Sean McComb (18-1, 5 KOs) of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The pair will fight in a 10-round super lightweight joint bout. The WBO Intercontinental Championship is on the line.
Barboza said: “I would like to thank Oscar, Bernard and the entire Golden Boy team for putting on a great show, promoting and all their hard work.” “Next up is for me. I’m excited for the opportunity to be on the card. The biggest card of the year. I think all eyes will be on me for our fight. I was five and a half years old, so I’m excited for the opportunity to be on the card. There’s a saying: I’m always grateful, but I’m never satisfied. I want it to be Barboza versus Everybody.”
Arnold Barboza Jr. | Golden Boy/Chris Esqueda
The card features Los Angeles’ John “Scrappy” Ramirez (13-0, 9 KOs) taking on Costa Rica’s David Jimenez (15-1, 11 KOs). The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds for the interim WBA super flyweight title.
“That’s when opportunity meets preparation,” Ramirez said. “I’ve been boxing for seven years. My main mission was to become world champion. I had no interest in being an amateur. I had to do it and I did it. But no, I I’ve been consistent and persistent in pursuing my dreams. I haven’t cut corners. I’ve been disciplined and this is who I am. This is the life I chose.”
John Ramirez | Golden Boy/Chris Esqueda
In other matches at the PPV, Uzbekistan’s Bektemir Melikuziev (13-1, 10 KOs) will defend his WBA Intercontinental belt against France’s Pierre-Hubert Dibombe (22-0-1, 12 KOs). The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds in the super middleweight division. Additionally, Charles Conwell (18-0, 13 KOs) of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Nathaniel Gallimore (22-7-1, 17 KOs) of Des Plaines, Illinois will square off in a 10-round super welterweight bout.
