Upsets are good for boxing, and Ryan Garcia will be hoping to shock the world when he takes on WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney on April 20 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The 12 round match and the undercard match will be Dazone.
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) has been one of the best young fighters in the world for the past few years. However, this is his first world title fight and only his second appearance at the elite level, with his first fight ending in a seventh-round knockout loss to Gervonta Davis last April.
WATCH: Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia live on DAZN
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) is the undisputed former lightweight champion of the world. In his latest bout, 'The Dream' debuted in the super lightweight division against dethroned WBC champion Regis Prograis, displaying near-perfect technique and ring craft.
Will Garcia be able to hand Haney his first professional loss, or will Haney prove too much of a challenge to overcome?
Is Ryan Garcia the fastest boxer in the world?
Garcia often posts videos on social media of himself shadow boxing and hitting the Cobra bag. If you've ever seen this young Californian perform these routines, you'll know how fast he is.
However, measuring speed in elite-level boxing is not an exact science. Some fighters are quick with singles and doubles, while others throw multiple punch combinations. Some fighters can use their hand speed while moving, while others need to keep their feet steady.
Pound-for-pound stars like Terrence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, Canelo Alvarez, Tank Davis, Haney, and Shakur Stevenson are extremely quick to lead and counter. However, Garcia, Vasily Lomachenko, and David Benavidez often exhibit fast twitch reflexes in long bursts.
While some fighters may challenge Garcia for the title of “fastest boxer,” there is no doubt that “King Lai” is one of the fastest fighters in the sport today.
Is Devin Haney the best fighter in the 140 pound weight class?
Devin Haney has only fought one fight at super lightweight, and many are of the opinion that he is already the best in this division.
The main challenger to his throw is WBO and Ring Magazine Champion Teofimo Lopez. Last May, 'The Takeover' wrested the world title from former division No. 1 Josh Taylor and then took the top spot on merit.
However, in Las Vegas in February, Lopez appeared to have fallen well below the mark by outperforming Jermaine Ortiz. If Haney manages to beat Garcia, he will almost certainly move up to the No. 1 spot at 140 pounds.
Will a win over Devin Haney add Ryan Garcia to the pound-for-pound list?
Thanks to his track record and performance level, Devin Haney is currently rated No. 5 on Sporting News' pound-for-pound list.
If Ryan Garcia can defeat Haney decisively, he will almost certainly be on the pound-for-pound list.
More: SN's Top 12 Best Boxers Pound-for-Pound
Can Ryan Garcia beat Devin Haney?
Speed and knockout power are the main ingredients when it comes to boxing, but at the highest level you need more than that.
While it makes perfect sense to say that Garcia has the edge over Haney in both speed and power, there are also areas (perhaps more important areas) where the champion has a significant advantage.
Haney is one of the most defensively adept fighters in the sport. He held world-class fighters like Regis Prograis to just 36 connections in 12 rounds, a CompuBox record for defense.
Garcia, on the other hand, is known for leaving his chin dry, resulting in heavy knockdowns. Haney isn't known as a puncher, but his shots will keep opponents honest if they land cleanly.
Another area where Haney excels is timing, a trait that can offset both speed and power.
It will be up to Haney to win this fight by late stoppage or decision. If Garcia can pull off a sensation, it will definitely be by knockout.
