There is going to be electricity at the Barclay Center tomorrow on 4/20…. (2024). Devin “The Dream” Haney versus Ryan “King Ry” Garcia. Really quick, on a separate note, that fighters take on nicknames, like urban youth throwing up tags… mine was “epic”, is a little hilarious because this the only sport that formalizes those monikers or nicknames. But now back to the reason I’m writing this blarticle…. the fight between these young fighters is going to be pretty amazing, IF… and only if…. they are allowed to fight without outside interference. Lets hope that this will be the case, right. Fair fight on a fair night. That being said, the winner of this fight is easy to pick… it’s the one with the most points at the end of the night or the one that’s standing when it’s all over. The way I see it is, this fight can go either way with a 55% to 45% advantage to the person that is able to implement their game plan and not let the other person adjust.

Let’s start with Devin Haney (pictured above yelling at the mirror in constant professionalism as he practices to yell at Garcia) is the undefeated 140 pound Champion with a record of 31 wins with 15 big wins by curing insomnia. Haney’s biggest asset is his IQ and his mobility. His path to a win is to not let people chirp and forget about going for the KO. It will come if it comes. Haney’s specialty is quick shots and having his opponent walk into a big shot. Haney has to mix up his shots and do quick side steps and counters. If he goes at Garcia, he is going to run into something. Luckily for Haney, Garcia has two modes… fast and faster, which should play into his bag of tricks. Haney needs to keep that right hand at home when he isn’t using it and rely on his jab. Haney has a bad habit of leaving his right side exposed and he needs to definitely correct that for this fight.

The opponent, Ryan Garcia (pictured above seemingly readying himself for Haney by getting ready to headbutt a ram) is the uber (meaning very and not the taxi) talented fighter with a record of 24 wins with a sole defeat against a pound for pound lightweight with 20 big wins followed by his opponents asking “how long have I been asleep” zzzzzzzz’s…… Garcia’s biggest asset is no surprise to anyone, it’s his speed and his ability to change direction on his punches. Garcia’s path to win this is to mix up patience with controlled aggression and some feints. Garcia has to rack up the points early and move to make Haney desperate and than force Haney to come to him, which as sure as the doctor slapped yo mama when you were born, Haney will do if he is behind on points. If Garcia can pull that off, he will KO Haney, absent any outside interference. Garcia needs to learn to tuck his chin to avoid being knocked down and his one weakness is that he always goes straight back instead of off-lining to the right or left like he should. He needs to step right or left to stay in range and needs to pump that jab like he is playing that slots.

Both of these fighters, regardless of what is seen leading up to the fight, are good guys. The magnitude of this fight is getting to them but you have to realize that they are both young and they are both hungry and they both want to win. Too bad you can’t have two winners because I believe they both deserve a win but this is the hurt business not the heart business. You perform and then you extend your gratitude to your opponent. Let’s hope that they can keep it professional in there.

My prediction is that the best man will win, hopefully…. Most pros have Haney winning and he is the betting favorite, but there are a few that have Garcia pulling off the upset. Good luck to both.