JOSH TAYLOR is backing Devin Haney to retain the WBC super-lightweight title on Saturday night time (April 20) towards Ryan Garcia however is refusing to entertain any considered a doable struggle towards the American sooner or later.
There may be good cause for that, nonetheless. Having change into undisputed super-lightweight champion after beating Jose Carlos Ramirez in Might 2021 Taylor was tasked with defending all 4 belts towards Jack Catterall 9 months later in Glasgow. However having conquered the 10-stone division the Scot was waiting for a transfer as much as 147lbs and taking over the elite at welterweight.
Taking his eye off the ball nearly value him all the things he labored for. Taylor walked out of the SSE Hydro after his struggle towards Catterall nonetheless undisputed however by a razor skinny margin and a contentious consequence which has led to Taylor and Catterall going at it once more on Might 25 on the First Direct Enviornment in Leeds.
The 33-year-old had simply loved a great dinner after one other day’s coaching for his upcoming rematch when Boxing Information spoke to him on Thursday when he defined why any thought of a struggle towards Haney or Garcia is of no curiosity to him proper now.
“I used to be considering like that the final time [I fought Catterall],” he stated.
“Considering of shifting as much as 147 and going to problem the likes of “Bud” Crawford, Errol Spence, Yordenis Ugas and turning into a two-weight world champion. I bought carried away. I received’t make that mistake once more. Clearly, you do take into consideration this stuff and what can occur after a struggle. After I win, once I beat Jack, I might like to revisit the Teofimo [Lopez] struggle and struggle guys like Haney and Garcia. It’s a sizzling division proper now. A win for me on Might 25 solely means huge fights. The long run’s vivid once I win this struggle.”
Haney and Garcia don’t have lengthy to attend to settle their very own rivalry. Once they enter the ring contained in the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn on Saturday night time (April 20) it is going to be the end result of a build-up which, at occasions, has needed to be seen to be believed. Social media insults, weird posts from Garcia and a few shoves in particular person have all both added to the curiosity or made your pores and skin crawl relying on the way you view it.
Fortunately there’s nonetheless a boxing match available. Haney, the previous undisputed light-weight champ, ripped up the popularity of Regis Prograis throughout their bout in December. The 13-month reign of “Rougarou” as WBC super-lightweight champion ended when Haney proved there’s a distinction between good and nice after delivering a shut-out win over his opponent in San Francisco.
“I can’t see previous Devin Haney,” Taylor stated of the champion’s first defence towards Garcia.
“I believe he’s bought the higher boxing mind and IQ. He appears to be like completely strong since he’s moved as much as 140 as properly. He appears to be like like he’s beefed up fairly a bit. He appears to be like actually sturdy and crammed into the burden actually rapidly. He’s simply as fast as Garcia, perhaps he doesn’t have that flash fast left hook, however his hand velocity is fast as properly. I believe he’s bought the all-round higher bundle. I can’t see previous Devin Haney successful this struggle.”
Haney and Garcia at The Empire State Constructing on April 16. (Picture by Roy Rochlin/Getty Photos for Empire State Realty Belief)
Speaking to some business consultants the possibilities of Garcia successful have been whittled right down to a puncher’s likelihood. The bookmakers have Haney as an enormous odds-on favorite at 1/8 with Garcia at 5/1. BN requested Taylor if he thought the identical as others and if Garcia has greater than only a cliché for his hopes of successful.
“Effectively, everybody’s bought a puncher’s likelihood,” he answered.
“Garcia is kind of fast, and also you don’t dismantle and knock out Luke Campbell with relative ease in case you’re not good. He is an effective fighter, however I simply don’t assume he’s nearly as good as Devin Haney or as full a fighter. Devin’s bought extra to his sport. Extra repertoire, extra boxing mind, extra selection. I believe Devin Haney’s the extra full fighter.”
The underdog has became one thing of an anomaly inside the sport. It has been over three years since Garcia triumphed towards Luke Campbell in what was an acid check for the 21st struggle of his profession. Because the clock counts right down to his bout towards Haney the seventh-round stoppage win towards Campbell stays the most important scalp Garcia has taken.
Nearly one 12 months in the past to the day Garcia got here up quick towards Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a 21st century super-fight which did its job of crossing over into the mainstream and significantly fattened up their financial institution balances. However competitors comes right down to successful and shedding and except you’re a Joe Frazier, or a Thomas Hearns historical past doesn’t typically bear in mind those that didn’t get the job executed.
The seventh-round stoppage win for Davis raised questions over Garcia’s coronary heart and whether or not or not he can compete towards immediately’s greats like Davis or now Haney. So, how has Garcia managed to land one other big struggle and one other big pay day? Effectively, 20 million followers throughout three social media platforms might have one thing do with it. Is Garcia getting one other alternative of this magnitude due to his reputation or due to his skills as a fighter?
“I believe it’s a little bit of each,” Taylor commented.
“He’s a gifted fighter, however I do assume as a result of he’s that common, he’s getting these fights. It’s a combination of each for me. He’s gifted, he’s bought that velocity, he’s bought that sharpness, however his boxing aspect of issues isn’t one of the best, however he’s vastly common on social media. I believe all that stuff has went to his head somewhat bit therefore what he’s been saying and the loopy outbursts he’s been doing. So long as he’s in that fitness center concentrating on the principle factor that’s all that issues.”
“I believe his reputation has landed him these fights,” he added. “I don’t assume he’s merited these fights. He’s not likely fought anybody of word. Clearly, his greatest win is Luke Campbell and [it was] an ideal win. Luke was an ideal fighter himself, however I imagine Luke was somewhat bit older and coming to the top of his profession. I believe it’s a little bit of each. He’s gifted however due to his reputation he’s getting these alternatives as properly.”
