JOSH TAYLOR is backing Devin Haney to retain the WBC super-lightweight title on Saturday evening (April 20) in opposition to Ryan Garcia however is refusing to entertain any considered a doable combat in opposition to the American sooner or later.
There is nice motive for that, nonetheless. Having turn out to be undisputed super-lightweight champion after beating Jose Carlos Ramirez in May 2021 Taylor was tasked with defending all 4 belts in opposition to Jack Catterall 9 months later in Glasgow. But having conquered the 10-stone division the Scot was looking forward to a transfer as much as 147lbs and taking up the elite at welterweight.
Taking his eye off the ball nearly price him all the things he labored for. Taylor walked out of the SSE Hydro after his combat in opposition to 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 May 25 on the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
The 33-year-old had simply loved an excellent dinner after one other day’s coaching for his upcoming rematch when Boxing News spoke to him on Thursday when he defined why any thought of a combat in opposition to Haney or Garcia is of no curiosity to him proper now.
“I was thinking like that the last time [I fought Catterall],” he mentioned.
“Thinking of moving up to 147 and going to challenge the likes of “Bud” Crawford, Errol Spence, Yordenis Ugas and turning into a two-weight world champion. I bought carried away. I gained’t make that mistake once more. Obviously, you do take into consideration this stuff and what can occur after a combat. When 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 sizzling division proper now. A win for me on May 25 solely means large fights. The future’s shiny once I win this combat.”
Haney and Garcia don’t have lengthy to attend to settle their very own rivalry. When they enter the ring contained in the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn on Saturday evening (April 20) it will likely be the end result of a build-up which, at instances, has needed to be seen to be believed. Social media insults, weird posts from Garcia and a few shoves in particular person have all both added to the curiosity or made your pores and skin crawl relying on the way you view it.
Thankfully there may be nonetheless a boxing match available. Haney, the previous undisputed light-weight champ, ripped up the fame 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 past Devin Haney,” Taylor mentioned of the champion’s first defence in opposition to Garcia.
“I think he’s got the better boxing brain and IQ. He looks absolutely solid since he’s moved up to 140 as well. He looks like he’s beefed up quite a bit. He looks really strong and filled into the weight really quickly. He is just as quick as Garcia, maybe he doesn’t have that flash quick left hook, but his hand speed is quick as well. I think he’s got the all-round better package. I can’t see past Devin Haney winning this fight.”
Haney and Garcia at The Empire State Building on April 16. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)
Talking to some trade specialists the probabilities of Garcia profitable 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 profitable.
“Well, everyone’s got a puncher’s chance,” he answered.
“Garcia is quite quick, and you don’t dismantle and knock out Luke Campbell with relative ease if you’re not good. He is a good fighter, but I just don’t think he’s as good as Devin Haney or as complete a fighter. Devin’s got more to his game. More repertoire, more boxing brain, more variety. I think Devin Haney’s the more complete fighter.”
The underdog has became one thing of an anomaly throughout the sport. It has been over three years since Garcia triumphed in opposition to Luke Campbell in what was an acid take a look at for the 21st combat of his profession. As the clock counts all the way down to his bout in opposition to Haney the seventh-round stoppage win in opposition to Campbell stays the largest scalp Garcia has taken.
Almost one 12 months in the past to the day Garcia got here up quick in opposition to Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a 21st century super-fight which did its job of crossing over into the mainstream and significantly fattened up their financial institution balances. But competitors comes all the way down to profitable and shedding and until you’re a Joe Frazier, or a Thomas Hearns historical past doesn’t usually bear in mind those that didn’t get the job finished.
The seventh-round stoppage win for Davis raised questions over Garcia’s coronary heart and whether or not or not he can compete in opposition to at present’s greats like Davis or now Haney. So, how has Garcia managed to land one other large combat and one other large pay day? Well, 20 million followers throughout three social media platforms might have one thing do with it. Is Garcia getting one other alternative of this magnitude due to his reputation or due to his talents as a fighter?
“I think it’s a bit of both,” Taylor commented.
“He is a talented fighter, but I do think because he is that popular, he is getting these fights. It’s a mixture of both for me. He is talented, he’s got that speed, he’s got that sharpness, but his boxing side of things isn’t the best, but he is hugely popular on social media. I think all that stuff has went to his head a little bit hence what he’s been saying and the crazy outbursts he’s been doing. As long as he’s in that gym concentrating on the main thing that’s all that matters.”
“I think his popularity has landed him these fights,” he added. “I don’t think he’s merited these fights. He’s not really fought anyone of note. Obviously, his best win is Luke Campbell and [it was] a great win. Luke was a great fighter himself, but I believe Luke was a little bit older and coming to the end of his career. I think it’s a bit of both. He is talented but because of his popularity he is getting these opportunities as well.”
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