Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney are newbie rivals who’ve circled one another for years within the professional ranks.
One of the vital sought-after fights of 2024 is now a actuality.
Devin Haney, The Ring’s No. 1-rated junior welterweight, will defend his WBC title towards Ryan Garcia on April 20. An announcement is predicted within the subsequent 24 hours.
Mike Coppinger of ESPN was the primary to interrupt the information. Former ESPN Senior Boxing author Dan Rafael confirmed the battle was set Friday morning. Haney’s father/supervisor Invoice Haney confirmed the information to PPV.com.
Have been informed that this morning the #HaneyGarcia paperwork was signed by all people who wanted to signal and is NOW accomplished. April 20. Web site TBA. DAZN PPV. Official announcement later in the present day. Massive battle. #boxing#exact
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) February 9, 2024
The battle is predicted to happen in Las Vegas, with the T-Cell Area because the probably venue. DAZN is the probably entity to stream the battle as Matchroom Boxing, which promoted Haney’s most up-to-date battle, and Golden Boy, which promotes Garcia, have unique rights with DAZN.
Haney (31-0, 15 knockouts) received the WBC 140-pound title in his final bout on December 9, dropping Regis Prograis as soon as en path to a shut-out unanimous resolution victory. The battle came about on the sold-out Chase Middle in San Francisco, the place Haney was born and raised.
In his earlier battle on Might 20, Haney efficiently defended his Ring Journal and undisputed light-weight championship by defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko by a really shut resolution. Months after the win over Lomachenko, Haney determined to vacate his world title belts at 135 kilos to maneuver up in weight.
Garcia, a former light-weight contender, might be combating for a world title belt for the primary time in his skilled profession.
Like Haney, Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) has fought a majority of his profession at 135 kilos however has fought above that weight in latest fights.
In his final battle on December 2, Garcia knocked out fringe light-weight contender Oscar Duarte within the eighth spherical. That battle was fought at a catchweight of 143 kilos. In his earlier battle on April 22, Garcia was dropped twice en path to a knockout win by the hands of Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in a conflict of unbeaten light-weight contenders.
The 25-year-old Garcia has had completely different trainers lately, together with Eddy Reynoso, Joe Goossen, and now Derrick James.
No phrase on what preparations have been made with WBC No. 1 contender Sandor Martin or if the sanctioning physique is permitting this battle to be Haney’s voluntary protection.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He may be reached at [email protected]
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