Brooklyn will host a clash between two rivals when Devin Haney defends the WBC super lightweight title against Ryan Garcia on April 20. The fight will air on DAZN PPV worldwide.
Haney and Garcia fought at the amateur level six times, with the series tied 3-3. Dating back to when they were about ten, both fighters, now 25, have gone on different paths in boxing, only to return to the other all these years later.
Haney became the undisputed lightweight champion, dethroning George Kambosos Jr. in Australia. He then edged former lightweight king Vasiliy Lomachenko in a close contest. Moving in weight, he outclassed Regis Prograis to become a two-division champion.
Garcia’s path to popularity in boxing comes from social media and his fast hands. His most impressive win to date has been against Luke Campbell. Mental health issues and injuries delayed big fights. “KingRy” got his superstar moment when he faced Gervonta Davis in April 2023, losing following brutal body shots.
WATCH: Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia, live on DAZN
The fight is Garcia’s second fight for what many expect to be a massive audience. A game Haney is ready to face Garcia, and while the lead up to the contest has been odd, fight fans expect some fireworks.
Per Bet MGM, Haney is the -800 favorite, while Garcia is the +550 underdog. Garcia’s questionable social media posts and mindset heading into the fight do not help his cause. However, can he defy the odds and secure a massive upset inside the Barclays Center?
The Sporting News looks at some unique and worthy prop bets for this super lightweight title fight.
Prop bets for Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia
1. Will the fight go the full 12 Rounds? (Yes: -200 per Bet MGM)
Garcia is known for his knockout power, with 20 wins via the power punch. Haney has 15 wins via knockout but is known for his patience. And as we all learned in school, patience is a virtue.
When Haney fights, it is like you are watching a master of the sweet science at work. He glides with each movement, countering an opponent and beating them into hard shots. Meanwhile, he manages to avoid the crisp shots of his opponent. The opposition has the third-lowest total connect percentage in boxing at 19.2%. It is hard to tag him.
Garcia’s ability to land rapid-fire punches is one of his best traits. Working with Derrick James, one of the best trainers in the business, could make him the patient fighter when he needs to be if he listens. Garcia could also bait Haney until the moment is right. One mistake against Haney, it’s all over. Maybe he would be interested in a game that could test himself and the patience of Haney.
A knockout is possible, but the fight going the distance makes the most sense.
2. Gone in 60 Seconds: Haney to win within 60 seconds (+12500 per Bet MGM)
Yes, this contradicts the first prop bet of the fight going the distance. However, a promise is on the line in this fight. That could make for a unique turn of events.
Haney hasn’t had a stoppage win since 2019. However, Haney has been more aggressive with his shots as of late. Haney landed 110 of 405 shots against Vasiliy Lomachenko and 129 of 367 against Regis Prograis. Before that, he landed 202 of 487 shots in a rematch against George Kambosos Jr.
MORE: How much money will Haney and Garcia make for super fight?
Now, include his new aggressiveness to the bet. Haney (mainly his father) and Garcia agreed if Haney won via knockout in the first round, Garcia would retire. Given Garcia’s recent mindset and lack of control in the ring compared to Haney, the latter could change things up and act as the aggressor.
It would make for a quick fight with an epic ending.
3. Final Judgement: Devin Haney by Unanimous Decision (-125 per Bet MGM)
Haney’s skills are otherworldly, and the stats back it up.
On the pound-for-pound list, Haney is sixth with a +/- of 12.6. He ranks ninth in total connect percentage mark of 31.8% and throws the tenth-most average punches with 42.2. His jab connect percentage is fifth with 23.6%.
His ring IQ is far superior to Garcia’s, not on the P4P list.
MORE: History of Ryan Garcia’s recent tweets in lead-up to Devin Haney fight
Garcia had a +/- of 4.9. The highest outside of Haney at super lightweight is Arnold Barboza Jr. at 12.3. Garcia’s opponents land the seventh-fewest punches per round with around 7.1. However, against an elite-level opponent in Gervonta Davis, Garcia got hit with 39 of 163 punches thrown. Garcia landed 24% of his punches, below his career connect rate per CompuBox.
“Tank” has a rocket launcher for an arm and strikes when the iron is hot. He had patience against Garcia. If that’s the case with him, Haney’s patience would make Davis’ efforts feel like he’s a Roadrunner.
The distractions Garcia has brought to this fight are concerning. It may be an act or a cry for help. However, if we are talking about pure skills, that is where Haney is king.
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