Ryan Garcia managed to SHOCK the boxing world by flooring Devin Haney not once, not twice, but three times last Saturday at the Barclays Center. With this victory, Garcia won a deserved majority decision that surely has the sport’s purists and casual observers alike reeling in exaggerated shock.
Hailing from the storied fight town of Victorville, Calif., Garcia wasted no time, throwing a left hook early in the first round that set the stage for what was to become a theatrical showcase of his touted skills. His performance, punctuated by stoic composure and unrelenting aggression, earned scores of 115-109, 114-110, and 112-112 from the judges.
Reflecting on his triumph, Garcia shared a candid moment of introspection, “I put unnecessary pressure on myself to end it early. Every time I had him in trouble, I lost my composure. I think the referee should have ended it. He was clearly hurt.” His surprise at Haney’s resilience was palpable, a stark reminder of the unpredictability of the sport—or perhaps just a well-rehearsed humility.
Golden Boy’s own Oscar De La Hoya couldn’t resist the moment, declaring Garcia not just a victor but “a leading figure in boxing,” perhaps forgetting the sport’s rich history of come-from-behind tales and actual leading figures.
Elsewhere on the card, Arnold Barboza, Jr. eked out a split decision over Sean McComb for the WBO Intercontinental Super Lightweight Title after ten rounds that tested the mettle of both fighters. And Bektemir Melikuziev, in a fight that could only be described as a headbutt-laden dance, retained his WBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight Title via a technical decision against Pierre Dibombe.
Not to be overshadowed, David Jimenez dominated John Ramirez across 12 rounds to claim the WBA Interim Super Featherweight Title, showcasing tactical control from the second bell, while Charles Conwell marked a notable return by stopping Nathanial Gallimore in the sixth round.
The card was rounded out with wins by Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who dispatched Vaughn Alexander, and Darius Fulghum, who notched a fourth-round TKO against Cristian Olivas, alongside other bouts that filled the evening with the customary punches, drama, and hyperbole that boxing so dearly embraces.
