Home Columns Eddie Hearn makes KO prediction for Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia

Eddie Hearn makes KO prediction for Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia

Haney-Garcia set to meet on April 20 in Brooklyn

April 5, 2024

Eddie Hearn reckons Devin Haney will stop Ryan Garcia on April 20 Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images/Ed Mulholland/Matchroom/Cris Esqueda/ Golden Boy Promotions

Eddie Hearn believes Devin Haney will stop Ryan Garcia when they clash in Brooklyn later this month.

Haney will make a first defence of his WBC super lightweight world title when he faces Garcia at Barclays Center on April 20, live on DAZN pay-per-view.

‘The Dream’ dropped Regis Prograis on route to a unanimous decision win in December to rip away the belt in his first fight at 140lbs, having previously reigned as the undisputed lightweight champion.

Hearn, whose Matchroom Boxing promoted the 25-year-old’s victory over Prograis, expects him to inflict a second career stoppage loss on his rival, after the Californian already suffered a first defeat to Gervonta Davis by knockout last April.

“I think he’ll be very dominant in the fight,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV.

Haney and Garcia came face-to-face in New York Photo Credit: Golden Boy / Cris Esqueda

“You don’t really know where Ryan’s at, but if Ryan’s at his best, he’s going to be competitive.

“He can punch hard. He’s got good reactions.

“He’s actually got a good style to take on Devin Haney, but Devin is so focused, so razor-sharp.

“I think he’s much better at 140lbs and I expect him to win the rounds, to break him down.

“I do think he’ll stop Ryan Garcia in New York.”

Haney and Garcia will meet for the first time as professionals, having fought each other six times in the unpaid code, with the scores level at three apiece.

‘King Ry’ has displayed some uncharacteristic behaviour in the lead-up to the bout, including admitting to being high on a Twitter space.

Haney has not recorded a knockout victory since retiring Zaur Abdullaev in four rounds in 2019, however Hearn believes he is punching a lot harder since moving up in weight.

Haney and Garcia have known each other long before either became the star they are today.

“He had Regis hurt and down,” he added.

“He’s moulding into 140lbs.

“He punches a lot harder. His timing’s good and if Ryan gets desperate and makes mistakes, he’s going to land flush and if he does again we’ll see how good the preparation’s been from Ryan Garcia.