We don’t know whether or to what extent Ryan Garcia is off his rocker.
It was clear that he had serious problems in the days leading up to his Saturday fight with Devin Haney. He behaved erratically and exhibited signs throughout, but some of it may have been a ploy to sell himself and the fight. The fact that he was 3.2 pounds overweight, unprofessional, and costing him $1.5M, raises further questions about his mentality.
We know for sure that Garcia is a fighter.
Garcia gave one of the most stunning performances in recent years at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, overcoming whatever outside-the-ring problems he might have to put Haney down three times and win a majority decision in an unforgettable fight.
When everything is taken into account – Garcia’s behavior, his inability to make weight, his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis, Haney’s reputation – the events of Saturday were mind boggling.
Remember that the gifted, disciplined Haney came into the fight on many pound-for-pound lists – No. 10 on Boxing Junkie’s – after a series of victories over one elite opponent after another the past few years. Some thought he’d rise to the No. 1.
And then there’s the kid with the suspect skill set…
