Ryan Garcia weighed in a whopping 3.2 pounds (1.45 kg) over the super lightweight limit for his world title fight against undefeated Devin Haney. This is the latest development in the build-up to the controversial blockbuster bout.
After dropping weight backstage, Garcia chugged a beer on stage at the ceremonial weigh-in, bizarrely hinting on social media that it was a deliberate move.
“I felt great and had a 3 pound advantage,” Garcia wrote. “Winners do what they have to do. I'm still sharp.”
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Last-minute negotiations ensured the fight took place, but Haney's WBC world title belt is no longer at stake. If he loses, the belt becomes vacant.
Haney provoked Garcia multiple times prior to the weigh-in, claiming that Garcia would not be able to make weight. In December, he faced Oscar Duarte at 143 pounds in a bout originally scheduled for 140 pounds.
Garcia, 25, who attended yesterday's final press conference, was egged on by Haney to accept a deal that would pay him $500,000 for every pound he weighed over the limit. And Haney has since said Garcia has put the $1.5 million (A$2.34 million) to good use.
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Golden Boy Promotions released a statement saying Garcia “respects the handshake he gave yesterday at his final press conference.”
“We are in a fight,” the statement added.
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) acknowledged the $1.5 million windfall, tweeting, “Ryan honored $500,000 a pound.”
Garcia said on stage. I went through hell. ”
He responded as boos rained down on him from the crowd. “Yes, yes, suck my dick.”
He added, “I had to give up $1.5 million, but that's light work for me.”
Garcia also plans to forfeit an undisclosed portion of his purse for the fight against Haney as part of 11th-hour negotiations to salvage the fight.
The fight was prolonged by Garcia's bizarre behavior in the run-up to the highly anticipated bout, and there were widespread calls for the fight to be canceled due to concerns about Garcia's mental health, including from members of Garcia's own family. It has spread.
In recent weeks, Garcia has made an alarming number of social media posts making claims about aliens, Tupac's killer, rape and child trafficking.
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