JOSH TAYLOR is backing Devin Haney to retain the WBC super-lightweight title on Saturday night time (April 20) towards Ryan Garcia however is refusing to entertain any considered a doable combat towards the American sooner or later.
There’s good cause for that, nevertheless. Having change into undisputed super-lightweight champion after beating Jose Carlos Ramirez in Might 2021 Taylor was tasked with defending all 4 belts towards Jack Catterall 9 months later in Glasgow. However having conquered the 10-stone division the Scot was looking forward to a transfer as much as 147lbs and taking over the elite at welterweight.
Taking his eye off the ball virtually price him every little thing he labored for. Taylor walked out of the SSE Hydro after his combat towards Catterall nonetheless undisputed however by a razor skinny margin and a contentious consequence which has led to Taylor and Catterall going at it once more on Might 25 on the First Direct Enviornment in Leeds.
The 33-year-old had simply loved dinner after one other day’s coaching for his upcoming rematch when Boxing Information spoke to him on Thursday when he defined why any thought of a combat towards Haney or Garcia is of no curiosity to him proper now.
“I used to be considering like that the final time [I fought Catterall],” he mentioned.
“Considering of shifting as much as 147 and going to problem the likes of “Bud” Crawford, Errol Spence, Yordenis Ugas and changing into a two-weight world champion. I received carried away. I gained’t make that mistake once more. Clearly, you do take into consideration this stuff and what can occur after a combat. Once I win, once I beat Jack, I’d like to revisit the Teofimo [Lopez] combat and combat guys like Haney and Garcia. It’s a scorching division proper now. A win for me on Might 25 solely means large fights. The longer term’s brilliant once I win this combat.”
Haney and Garcia don’t have lengthy to attend to settle their very own rivalry. After they enter the ring contained in the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn on Saturday night time (April 20) it is going to be the end result of a build-up which, at occasions, has needed to be seen to be believed. Social media insults, weird posts from Garcia and a few shoves in individual have all both added to the curiosity or made your pores and skin crawl relying on the way you view it.
Fortunately there’s nonetheless a boxing match available. Haney, the previous undisputed light-weight champ, ripped up the status of Regis Prograis throughout their bout in December. The 13-month reign of “Rougarou” as WBC super-lightweight champion ended when Haney proved there’s a distinction between good and nice after delivering a shut-out win over his opponent in San Francisco.
“I can’t see previous Devin Haney,” Taylor mentioned of the champion’s first defence towards Garcia.
“I believe he’s received the higher boxing mind and IQ. He appears completely strong since he’s moved as much as 140 as nicely. He appears like he’s beefed up fairly a bit. He appears actually sturdy and stuffed into the load actually shortly. He’s simply as fast as Garcia, possibly he doesn’t have that flash fast left hook, however his hand pace is fast as nicely. I believe he’s received the all-round higher package deal. I can’t see previous Devin Haney successful this combat.”
Haney and Garcia at The Empire State Constructing on April 16. (Picture by Roy Rochlin/Getty Photographs for Empire State Realty Belief)
Speaking to some business specialists the probabilities of Garcia successful have been whittled all the way down to a puncher’s probability. The bookmakers have Haney as an enormous odds-on favorite at 1/8 with Garcia at 5/1. BN requested Taylor if he thought the identical as others and if Garcia has greater than only a cliché for his hopes of successful.
“Nicely, everybody’s received a puncher’s probability,” he answered.
“Garcia is kind of fast, and also you don’t dismantle and knock out Luke Campbell with relative ease when you’re not good. He is an efficient fighter, however I simply don’t assume he’s pretty much as good as Devin Haney or as full a fighter. Devin’s received extra to his recreation. Extra repertoire, extra boxing mind, extra selection. I believe Devin Haney’s the extra full fighter.”
The underdog has became one thing of an anomaly inside the sport. It has been over three years since Garcia triumphed towards Luke Campbell in what was an acid take a look at for the twenty first combat of his profession. Because the clock counts all the way down to his bout towards Haney the seventh-round stoppage win towards Campbell stays the largest scalp Garcia has taken.
Nearly one yr in the past to the day Garcia got here up quick towards Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a twenty first century super-fight which did its job of crossing over into the mainstream and significantly fattened up their financial institution balances. However competitors comes all the way down to successful and dropping and except you’re a Joe Frazier, or a Thomas Hearns historical past doesn’t usually bear in mind those that didn’t get the job carried out.
The seventh-round stoppage win for Davis raised questions over Garcia’s coronary heart and whether or not or not he can compete towards right this moment’s greats like Davis or now Haney. So, how has Garcia managed to land one other enormous combat and one other enormous pay day? Nicely, 20 million followers throughout three social media platforms could have one thing do with it. Is Garcia getting one other alternative of this magnitude due to his reputation or due to his skills as a fighter?
“I believe it’s a little bit of each,” Taylor commented.
“He’s a gifted fighter, however I do assume as a result of he’s that common, he’s getting these fights. It’s a mix of each for me. He’s gifted, he’s received that pace, he’s received that sharpness, however his boxing facet of issues isn’t the most effective, however he’s massively common on social media. I believe all that stuff has went to his head slightly bit therefore what he’s been saying and the loopy outbursts he’s been doing. So long as he’s in that health club concentrating on the primary factor that’s all that issues.”
“I believe his reputation has landed him these fights,” he added. “I don’t assume he’s merited these fights. He’s probably not fought anybody of be aware. Clearly, his finest win is Luke Campbell and [it was] an ideal win. Luke was an ideal fighter himself, however I imagine Luke was slightly bit older and coming to the tip of his profession. I believe it’s a little bit of each. He’s gifted however due to his reputation he’s getting these alternatives as nicely.”
