After enduring relentless taunting and doubt from experts who dismissed his chances, Ryan Garcia delivered a resounding blow to their forecasts last Saturday night in Brooklyn. He knocked Devin Haney to the canvas three times, securing a majority decision win that sent shockwaves across the boxing community.
Garcia, hailing from Victorville, California, launched his assault with a vicious left hook in the first round. He maintained his momentum throughout the latter half of the fight, clinching the win with judges scoring 115-109, 114-110, and 112-112.
Ryan Garcia expressed mixed feelings post-fight. “I should have eased up on myself. Each time I landed a hit, I lost my head a bit, missing chances to end it,” he admitted. He also mentioned a controversial moment when points were deducted. “The guy clung to me like his life depended on it while I kept punching. I deserved a knockout in the seventh round.”
Oscar De La Hoya, chairman of Golden Boy Promotions, praised Garcia, “Ryan just proved he’s a top-contender, shutting up all the naysayers effectively.”
The event also featured a clash for the WBO Intercontinental Super Lightweight Title. Arnold Barboza Jr. outmaneuvered Sean McComb, claiming a split decision victory after a tense and tactical 10 rounds. The judges favored Barboza with scores of 96-94 and 97-93, while McComb scored 92-98.
Bektemir Melikuziev retained his WBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight Title after an intense matchup with Pierre Dibombe was halted by doctors due to a severe cut from an accidental headbutt. The judges awarded Melikuziev a technical decision with unanimous scores.
In other highlights, David Jimenez took the WBA Interim Super Featherweight Title from John Ramirez after a fiercely contested 12 rounds, winning unanimously. Charles Conwell spectacularly ended his bout against Nathanial Gallimore with a sixth-round TKO, marking a triumphant return.
Preliminary bouts saw Sergiy Derevyanchenko dominate Vaughn Alexander, and Darius Fulghum defended his WBA Continental title by stopping Cristian Olivas in the fourth round. The evening kicked off with Shamar Canal securing a unanimous decision over Pedro Borgaro.
