RYAN GARCIA pulled off the mother of all upsets by flooring Devin Haney THREE TIMES on the way to beating his bitter rival.
The build up to the bout was marred in controversy, with Garcia’s erratic online and public behaviour causing genuine concern for his wellbeing.
And that only intensified after he missed the 140lb championship weight by over 3lb to deny himself the chance to win the world title.
But, after putting Haney on the floor three times with the same shot to seal a stunning win, Garcia celebrated the most unlikely of victories.
He said: “Come on dog, you really thought I was crazy? You all lost your mind! My left hook is my left hook, that’s blessed by God.
“Whenever I land it, it can put you out or down. You guys hate on me but I’ve been boxing all my life.
“I knew I had control after I dropped him, maybe my conditioning wasn’t the best but I got the job done.
“I’ve fought him six times so I knew what I could do.”
Garcia, 25, came out the traps earlier and stunned Haney, also 25, with a sharp counter left hook.
It was a sign of things to come as the champion was shaken to his boots but recovered well to regain his composure.
Most read in Boxing
Garcia failed to capitalise on his early money shot as Haney recovered well and bossed the action with his jab.
But the threat of Garcia’s fast and equally ferocious counter left hand had the Barclays Center in New York gripped.
And in round seven a left hook put Haney on the seat of his pants and the tide was well and truly changed.
Garcia did undo his good work with a cheap shot that saw him deducted a point and counteracting his knockdown.
But from that moment on Haney struggled to recover and again he was dropped in round ten after being trapped in the corner with a combination.
Haney somehow escaped the round but the momentum was well and truly with the underdog.
This time, Garcia did follow up and kept the heat on Haney, putting his old amateur rival on the deck with yet another hook.
Garcia was so convinced it was over he even got on the ropes and began celebrating – only for Haney to beat the count.
The 12th and final round proved to be a messy one but the damage was already done and for the first time Haney was staring defeat in the face.
And his worst nightmare was confirmed on the scorecards as he fell to a majority decision loss.
Haney said: “I’m disappointed in my performance but Ryan is a true champion.
“I showed that I can fight after being knocked down and hurt. He caught me early and I feel asleep on the left hook.
“I was more surprised than hurt when he dropped me the first time.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Garcia opened the door to a rematch after his heroics in Brooklyn but Haney keeps his title due to the WBC rules on opponent’s missing weight.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
