Haney and Garcia Suffer Defeats in High-Profile Bouts
In a night of underwhelming performances, boxers Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia suffered defeats in their respective bouts, dampening the excitement surrounding their proposed rematch. According to a report by the BBC, organisers in Saudi Arabia were planning for a rematch later this year, contingent on Haney and Garcia emerging victorious.
Haney’s Cautious Approach Fails to Impress
Haney, who had been on a year-long layoff, returned to the ring with a cautious approach that ultimately cost him the fight. The boxer, who was dropped three times by Garcia in their previous encounter, failed to find his rhythm and was outboxed by his opponent, Joseph Ramirez. As the BBC notes, Haney "circled around the ring, landing the occasional lead left hook, but neglected his jab as single shots did enough to edge the rounds." This performance was summed up by Scotland’s former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor, who commented on social media that Haney looked "terrified" and "frantic".
Ramirez Takes Advantage of Haney’s Cautiousness
Ramirez, on the other hand, took advantage of Haney’s hesitant approach, securing a unanimous decision victory with scores of 119-109, 119-109, and 118-110. The BBC reports that defensively, it was a sound performance by Haney, but this was largely due to Ramirez’s lack of aggression. The bout failed to generate much excitement, with many fans leaving the event underwhelmed.
Garcia Falls to Romero in Headline Bout
In the headline bout, Ryan Garcia suffered a defeat at the hands of Jaime M. Romero. The fight got off to a dramatic start, with Romero landing a stinging double left hook to floor Garcia. According to the BBC, Romero followed up with a clubbing right before Garcia regained his senses. Despite both fighters being unwilling to over-commit, Romero edged the rounds with better use of the jab, coupled with Garcia’s tentativeness.
Trainer James Urges Garcia to Take Action
In a bid to spark a turnaround, Garcia’s trainer, Derrick James, pleaded with his fighter to "get busy" before the championship rounds. However, his words of encouragement had little impact, as Romero landed a combination to head and body in the 11th round, securing the victory.
Haney and Garcia’s Rematch in Doubt
The defeats suffered by Haney and Garcia have thrown their proposed rematch into doubt. While organisers in Saudi Arabia were keen to stage the bout, the pair will now need to regroup and reassess their strategies if they hope to face each other in the ring again. As reported by the BBC, the night’s events have left fans and pundits alike questioning the pair’s abilities and the hype surrounding their potential rematch.
Reaction to the Bouts
The BBC spoke to various pundits and experts, who expressed their disappointment and surprise at the performances of Haney and Garcia. Josh Taylor’s comments on social media were particularly scathing, with the former world champion describing Haney as "terrified" and "frantic". As the boxing world continues to react to the news, one thing is clear: Haney and Garcia have a lot to prove if they hope to regain their status as top contenders in the sport.
Source: BBC Sport
