The Lasting Impact of the Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney Fight
The recent boxing match between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney has left an indelible mark on the sport, with both fighters now moving forward without a belt and facing their fair share of criticism. However, one sentiment remains crystal clear: “We cannot unsee what we saw,” as former welterweight titleholder Shawn Porter aptly stated on Tuesday’s episode of ProBox TV’s “Deep Waters.”
The bout, which was initially ruled a majority decision upset victory for the 25-year-old Garcia, has since been overturned to a no-contest following Garcia’s three positive pre-fight tests for the banned performance-enhancing substance ostarine. Despite this outcome, the images of Haney, also 25, being knocked down three times by Garcia’s powerful left hooks have been seared into the minds of boxing enthusiasts.
As DAZN reportedly rejected the request of Haney’s team to remove further replays of the fight, the former WBC champion finds himself in a physical, mental, and emotional state unfit to immediately defend his title against mandatory challenger Sandor Martin of Spain. Consequently, the WBC has elevated unbeaten Dominican Republic fighter Alberto Puello to its new 140-pound belt holder, assigning him the title fight against Martin and granting Haney a “champion in recess” layoff.
“What happened to [Haney] in New York is one of the greatest injustices I’ve seen in boxing. Meeting a fighter who did not make weight, who played mind games and had performance-enhancing drugs in his system, Haney still fought like a warrior. He got knocked down three times, and while many others would’ve stayed on the canvas, he got up every time,” expressed WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.
The analysts on “Deep Waters,” including Shawn Porter, Paulie Malignaggi, and Hall of Fame commentator Teddy Atlas, believe that Haney’s courage and resilience that evening deserve recognition. As Atlas aptly stated, “We should be celebrating how miraculous it was that he survived with a guy who was overweight and on PEDs.”
However, the analysts also noted that the lack of attention on Haney’s performance, compared to the focus on social media influencer Garcia, reflects societal flaws. “It’s not enough just to be a good fighter,” Atlas said. “[The public doesn’t] want a nice story. They want something crazy.”
Malignaggi also expressed concerns about the perceived lack of punishment for PED use in boxing, stating, “There’s not enough punishment for PEDs. We have first-ballot Hall of Famers [who used]. There’s rewards [for use] and the perception that this doesn’t affect you.”
Ultimately, the aftermath of the Garcia-Haney fight has left a lasting impact on the sport, with Haney deserving time to heal and the opportunity to return and win, whether that comeback starts against a non-champion or in the welterweight division, as Atlas suggested. The analysts agree that the former undisputed lightweight champion has faced too much to overcome in a matter of a few months, and his journey forward will be a testament to his resilience and the true spirit of boxing.
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