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Ryan Garcia’s Recent Shenanigans Might Come Back To Haunt Him if Devin Haney Wins

Published 03/01/2024, 8:55 AM EST

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Has Ryan Garcia lost the plot? It seems so. Instead of hitting mitts and upgrading his arsenal ahead of the biggest fight of his career, he has gone off track to gain some ground. The American’s candidness about his personal life on social media and the visuals of him puffing a mar*juana joint have the fans puzzled. Is it a typical case of stooping to mind games? Or is it an indication that the lightweight boxer lacks seriousness and focus and has already given up on his chances?

Devin Haney and the fans are concerned about ‘KingRy’s shenanigans and antics, which he has employed ever since the fight was announced for April 20. More than hitting the pads, he has upped his verbal warfare game. So, what happens if those verbal bombs and sludges don’t have an impact inside the square circle on that fateful day? Will the fans and pundits shun Garcia for his inadequacy to back those claims with actions? The chances are high, and the reality will be uglier.

Ryan Garcia: Chance that those games catch up to him

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You are a highly skilled fighter. You possess discipline, and a great team surrounds you. In addition, you have your eyes on the goal at the end of the tunnel. That’s Devin Haney. And the fighter who is devoid of all this is Ryan Garcia. Therefore, writing is on the wall for Garcia if he doesn’t pull him together.

via Getty

The fans are not sure whether Garcia is toying with Haney or if he’s trolling. But there is a fine line that the 25-year-old is playing with. If he is not focused, it might cause his downfall. After already adding a loss to his record against Gervonta Davis, he can’t afford another loss. Not only a gold strap is on the line, but so is his reputation as a career.

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The fans already had a field day when Garcia showed up at the LA press conference. A doubt is already settling in their minds about whether the 24-1 record holder even shows up for the fight. Haney feels the same. Garcia’s dedication to sports is always questioned, despite accepting fights with the likes of ‘Tank’ and Haney. A loss now would make him a laughingstock. Not to mention the damage it does to his public image. “It’s not common for somebody that is getting ready for the biggest fight of their life,” Haney told DAZN. But there are definitely upsides to what Garcia is doing, and it’s slowly chipping away at Haney’s sanity.

Getting into Devin Haney’s head

The California native persists in unsettling his opponent when he posts a photo of him training, wearing a shirt with a picture of Devin and the rapper Diddy. Garcia and Haney go a long time back to their childhood days, and if someone knows how to break down Haney outside the ring, it’s him.

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Bernard Hopkins believes it is part of the game, and Garcia is doing his job, getting into Haney’s head. Garcia is trying to mess up Haney’s nerves, who might have a low tolerance for mind games. In addition, Haney is not skilled at trash-talking and trolling. With around 50 days left in the showdown, Garcia has ample time to irritate his opponent, which could be advantageous.

Read More: Dealing With Recent Divorce After Welcoming a Newborn, Ryan Garcia Sets Out to Hawaii for a Friends and Family Vacation Amidst Uncertainty Over First Fight of 2024

But it can also be a misfire situation where he is putting effort into the wrong tactic. At the end of the day, Haney trains with his head down, blocking all the noises. Meanwhile, Garcia makes all the noise. This does raise the intriguing question of whether Garcia is focused and up for the fight he hotly pursued.

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Is Ryan Garcia really committed to the cause?

If Garcia’s words are to be taken at face value, 99% of what he does is trolling. He was running eight miles in the morning. “You don’t have a six-pack if you’re drinking every day and smoking,” Garcia explains.

For Garcia, hard work and trolling are the formula to crack Haney. He knows what Haney brings to the table, and he is putting in work to be ready. He willingly fought ‘Tank’ and took a fight with Haney on his own accord. Garcia is motivated enough to put on a show; even if it is a fight, he is the favorite to lose.

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What do you make of these shenanigans and antics of Ryan Garcia ahead of his fight with Devin Haney? Do you believe it is a smart tactic by him? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Rohit Lohan

1,234Articles

One take at a time

I hail from a family of passionate sports lovers, especially combat sports. It is from there that I realized how aptly combat sports embody life. The words of Jeremy Lesniak, "It's not about learning to fight, it's about learning to be better through the expression of action" resonated with the interest I had in combat sports.
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Edited by:

Snigdhaa Jaiswal