Ryan Garcia is expected to be an underdog for his April 20 clash with pound-for-pound superstar Devin Haney, and one former boxing champion recently explained why “King Ry” is in for a very rough night in April.
Ryan Garcia is one of the most popular fighters in the boxing game right now. He is a talented pugilist with knockout skills who is a new breed of fighter who built his fanbase more so through social media than strictly in the ring.
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However, on the flip side of that coin is Devin Haney. A fighter who has grown his fame by becoming one of the best pure boxers in the world. That is what makes their matchup next month so fascinating. It is a battle between the uber-popular athlete with matinee idol good looks versus the fighter the diehard fans adore.
Is Devin Haney the least physically gifted elite fighter today?
A month out from the bout, Haney is a massive -900 favorite on the popular betting site Draft Kings. It is a startling number considering Garcia’s success in the sport. However, on a new edition of the “Inside Boxing Live” podcast, co-host and former WBO champion Chris Algeri explained why this is a terrible matchup for “King Ry.”
“You’re taking the least disciplined guy against the most disciplined guy,” Algeri said. “The guy with all the physical gifts, all the physical talent, with no discipline and you’re going against a guy who has superb discipline. And honestly, I think talent-wise and physical gifts, Haney’s the least gifted of the bunch. In terms of [Gervonta] Davis, in terms of [Teofimo] Lopez, in terms of Ryan.
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“He is the least physically gifted of the group but he’s the most disciplined and consistent. And that’s why he’s at the top of the division right now. Stylistically, I think it’s a really bad matchup for Ryan.”
It is a worrisome breakdown for Ryan Garcia fans hoping for a career-defining moment next month. If Garcia does win, it will be one of the biggest upsets in boxing in 2024.
