NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan García knocked down Devin Haney three times and handed the WBC super lightweight champion his first defeat, winning by split decision on Saturday but without winning the title for not having made the regulation weight.
Garcia’s erratic behavior in public and on social media in the days leading up to the fight raised questions about how seriously he had taken this commitment.
It became even clearer that he didn’t spend enough time training on Friday, when his weight was three pounds over the required 140.
But the speed and power in his fists were too much for Haney, who was injured practically from the opening bell and fell in the seventh, tenth and eleventh rounds.
García (25-1 with 20 knockouts) won by scores of 115-109 and 114-110 on the scorecards of two judges. The third ruled a tie, 112-112.
The Associated Press gave a score of 114-110 in favor of García.
The two 25-year-old fighters from California faced each other six times as amateurs, but Haney has had the most notable career as a professional.
He won the unified lightweight title and then moved up the ranks to take the WBC title in his first fight at 140 pounds.
García was unable to take the belt, but he did end Haney’s perfect record, who now stands at 31-1.
Source: AP
2024-04-21 09:49:21
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