Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney Stir Up Pre-Fight Frenzy With Mind Games and Controversy

In the world of professional boxing, the fight doesn’t start when the bell rings—it begins long before, in press conferences, social media exchanges, and even what fighters wear to the gym. The upcoming clash between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney for the WBC super lightweight title on April 20th is no exception, with both fighters engaging in a series of mind games and controversies that have the boxing community buzzing.

Ryan Garcia, known for his flashy style and strong social media presence, recently took psychological warfare to a new level. Garcia was spotted training in a shirt featuring a shirtless ‘The Dream,’ Devin Haney, alongside Bad Boys Records founder Diddy, who has recently been embroiled in controversy. The image was captioned by Happy Punch, stating, ‘Ryan Garcia rocking a Devin Haney and P Diddy shirt in the gym today ?.’ The choice of attire has triggered a flurry of reactions from fans and followers, with opinions ranging from amusement to skepticism about Garcia’s focus on the upcoming bout.

“Devin Haney” by MILLION DOLLAZ WORTH OF GAME is licensed under CC BY 3.0

The tension between the fighters was palpable during their first press conference, where Haney accused Garcia of being ‘drunk as a skunk.’ Haney, aiming to retain his undefeated record, expressed concern about Garcia’s state but remained confident in his ability to leave Garcia ‘punch drunk’ on fight night.

Adding to the spectacle, Garcia made a dramatic entrance to a press conference on horseback, wearing an all-white ensemble, and was carried to the venue by two men. This stunt, followed by Garcia walking out to Diddy’s ‘Missing You,’ was a bold statement from the fighter, indicating his intent to dominate the pre-fight narrative.

Despite the theatrics, concerns have been raised about Garcia’s focus and conditioning. After a live stream incident where Garcia appeared intoxicated, he reassured fans that he was indeed taking his training seriously, claiming, ‘99% of what I’m doing is trolling… You don’t have a six-pack if you’re drinking every day and smoking.’ Regardless, Haney and Garcia’s fathers have taken up the mantle to drum up interest in the fight, acknowledging that the success of the event relies heavily on their promotional efforts.

Both Haney and Garcia boast impressive records, with Haney undefeated in 31 professional fights and Garcia coming off a recent knockout victory, holding a 24-1 record. Their bout on April 20th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, is not just a test of physical prowess but also a culmination of their psychological battle.

As the fight night approaches, the animosity and antics between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney have undoubtedly heightened anticipation. Whether these pre-fight dramas are mere promotional stunts or genuine disdain remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the boxing world is in for an electrifying showdown come April 20th.