Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney may be fighting different opponents on this trip to New York, but that didn’t stop the fighters’ camps from exchanging words at Tuesday’s public workout in Times Square.
Garcia, while being gloved up by trainer Derrick James, exchanged words with Bill Haney, the father/trainer of Devin Haney, to the excitement of the crowd in attendance.
The two fought a year ago in Brooklyn, New York, with Garcia knocking Haney down three times in what was originally scored a majority decision win for him, only for the decision to be overturned due to Garcia failing multiple tests for performing-enhancing substances.
Bill Haney crashed Garcia’s portion of the media workout, suggesting that Garcia looks softer since moving up seven pounds to 147lbs.
“His dad likes to talk a lot. … That’s what got his son beat the first time,” said Garcia, 24-1 (20 KOs), who will fight Rolando “Rolly” Romero on Friday in New York’s Times Square. “It is what it is. If he wants to do that again, we can run it.”
Devin Haney, 31-0 (15 KOs), is scheduled to face former WBC/WBO junior welterweight titleholder Jose Ramirez on the same card. He says that any discussion of a rematch is still premature but understands why it’s a topic of conversation.
“Right now Ramirez is on my menu,” Haney said. “Once I finish my breakfast, I’ll move on to my lunch. … We all know what the people want to see. There’s unfinished business there. But I have to finish what’s in front of me first.”
Garcia wasn’t the only boxer who faced criticism about his physique from the Haney camp.
Ramirez, who is also breathing easier with the 144lbs catchweight after 13 years at junior welterweight, says he found a quick solution to being critiqued.
“His team was saying that I looked a little thick, so I was showing them my six-pack,” said Ramirez, 29-2 (18 KOs). “Then Devin told me I didn’t look thick anymore.
“I feel good… Having those extra four pounds have made the weight cut much easier. I’m hoping to show a new Jose Ramirez. I work hard and I want it to show.”
Those two fights, plus the WBO junior welterweight title showdown between champion Teofimo Lopez Jnr and interim belt holder Arnold Barboza Jnr, will air live on DAZN pay-per-view, beginning at 6 p.m.
Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.