From Ringside: Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia Fight For Bragging Rights

Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney fight for bragging rights on Saturday, April 20 in New York, New York at the Barclays Center. (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty Images)

The 2024 NBA Playoffs may have just begun, but the sport of boxing is already bringing Game 7 to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. After meeting six times as amateurs, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney will meet in New York City for a showdown of epic proportions. Haney, 25, is riding high following back-to-back wins against George Kambosos, a hard-fought battle with Vasily Lomachenko and dominant performance against Regis Prograis. Meanwhile, Ryan Garcia has had a rough go of it recently. After calling off a fight with Mercito Gesta, he suffered his first pro loss at the hands of Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Months later, he was able to stop Oscar Duarte, but displayed some interesting defensive tactics in the early rounds. With one fight under his belt in the new weight class, Garcia believes he’s ready to dethrone the WBC Super Lightweight Champion and earn his first victory on the pay-per-view stage.

Haney and Garcia will not command the Brooklyn crowd alone. The first pay-per-view boxing event at the Barclays Center in nearly two years  will bring unbeaten super welterweight contender Charles Conwell, super flyweight star John Ramirez, hard-hitting super middleweight Betemir Melikuziev and super lightweight hopeful Arnold Barboza Jr. to the ring. After a week of press conferences, media workouts and charitable events, the talking is done and the fighting begins. It’s boxing on 4/20 in the cannabis consumption of the world — New York City!

Charles Conwell v. Nathaniel Gilmore

Charles Cownell seeks to maintain his perfect record against Illinois native Nathaniel Gallimore. (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions)

The Basics

Charles Conwell

  • Age: 26
  • Height: 5’9
  • Weight: 153 lbs.
  • Hometown: Cleveland, OH
  • Record: 18-0 (13 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Juan Carlos Abreu (W, UD — 11/26/22)

Nathaniel Gallimore

  • Age: 35
  • Height: 5’11
  • Weight: 153 lbs.
  • Hometown: Des Plaines, IL
  • Record: 22-7-1 (17 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Serhii Bohachuk (L, KO — 01/27/23)

The Odds

Moneyline: Conwell (-2000) | Gallimore (-1100)

Total Rounds: Over 7.5 (-115) | Under 7.5 (-115)

Note: Odds provided by Draftkings Sportsbook at approximately 8:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 20

Timeline Talk

The Decision

Super welterweight contender Charles Conwell hands Nathaniel Gallimore his seventh loss in his last nine fights, stopping him in the sixth round. The Ohio native was in control throughout the fight, hurting Gallimore at well. With the win, he improves to 18-0 with 14 KOs.

John Ramirez v. David Jimenez

John “Scrappy” Ramirez and David Jimenez meet in a WBA Super Flyweight Championship bout in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, April 20. (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions)

The Basics

John “Scrappy” Ramirez

  • Age: 27
  • Height: 5’4
  • Weight: 114.2 lbs.
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Record: 13-0 (9 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Ronal Batista (W, KO — 10/21/23)

David Jimenez

  • Age: 32
  • Height: 5’4
  • Weight: 153 lbs.
  • Hometown: Cartago, Costa Rica
  • Record: 15-1 (11 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Pablo Macario (W, UD — 02/23/24)

The Odds

Moneyline: Ramirez (-200) | Jimenez (+160)

Total Rounds: Over 10.5 (-250) | Under 7.5 (+175)

Note: Odds provided by Draftkings Sportsbook at approximately 8:20 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 20

Timeline Talk

 

The Decision

Toughness, a concentrated body attack and consistency wins the day for David Jimenez. Now, the Costa Rican fighter improves to 16-1, earning a full title shot at 115 pounds to go along with a mandatory title shot at 112 pounds. Meanwhile, Ramirez will have to go back to the drawing board after suffering the first loss of his pro career.

Bektemir Melikuziev v. Pierre Dibombe

Bektemir Melikuziev and Pierre Dibombe meet in a clash of unbeaten super middleweight contenders on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in New York, New York. (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions)

The Basics

Bektemir Melikuziev

  • Age: 29
  • Height: 5’9
  • Weight: 167.8 lbs.
  • Hometown: Shoimbek, Uzbekistan
  • Record: 13-1 (10 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Alantez Fox (W, TKO — 10/07/23)

Pierre Dibombe

  • Age: 32
  • Height: 5’9
  • Weight: 166.6 lbs.
  • Hometown: Nantes, France
  • Record: 22-0-1 (12 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Derrick Findley (W, TKO — 06/17/23)

The Odds

Moneyline: Melikuziev (-1400) | Dibombe (+750)

Total Rounds: Over 5.5 (-135) | Under 5.5 (+100)

Note: Odds provided by Draftkings Sportsbook at approximately 8:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 20

Timeline Talk

 

The Decision

Bektemir “The Bully” Mekuziev wasn’t able to produce the highlight reel knockout of Pierre Dibombe that some may have hope for, but he didn’t disappoint. The game frenchmen was willing to stand and trade with The Bully. While it may not have been in his best interest, it sure did generate the fireworks that many fans had been hoping for. The Bully was able to build a respectable lead, but Dibombe forced him to take his best shot and work from the pocket. Ultimately, a pair of gruesome cuts ended the night early for both men, but they were able to add to the excitement for the main event as we inch closer to Game 7.

Arnold Barboza Jr. v. Sean McComb

Arnold Barboza Jr. makes his Matchroom debut against Sean McComb of Belfast, United Kingdom on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in New York, New York. (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions)

The Basics

Arnold Barboza Jr.

  • Age: 32
  • Height: 5’9
  • Weight: 139.4 lbs.
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
  • Record: 13-1 (10 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Alantez Fox (W, RTD — 01/06/24)

Sean McComb

  • Age: 31
  • Height: 6’0
  • Weight: 139.4 lbs.
  • Hometown: Belfast, United Kingdom
  • Record: 18-1 (5 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Sam Maxwell (W, UD — 12/02/23)

The Odds

Moneyline: Barboza Jr. (-1100) | McComb (+650)

Total Rounds: Over 8.5 (+100) | Under 8.5 (-135)

Note: Odds provided by Draftkings Sportsbook at approximately 8:40 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 20

Timeline Talk

 

The Decision

Apparently, it’s April 1st, not April 20th. Arnold Barboza Jr. has been gifted a split decision after being convincingly beat by Sean McComb. A cascade of boos reigns down over the ring, but it doesn’t matter what the fans or I think. Barboza Jr. moves to 30-0 with a shot to fight for a world title.

Devin Haney v. Ryan Garcia

Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia bring pay-per-view boxing back to the Barclays Center on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions)

The Basics

Devin Haney

  • Age: 25
  • Height: 5’8
  • Weight: 140 lbs.
  • Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
  • Record: 31-0 (15 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Regis Prograis (W, UD — 12/09/23)

Ryan Garcia

  • Age: 25
  • Height: 5’8
  • Weight: 143.2 lbs.
  • Hometown: Victorville, CA
  • Record: 24-1 (20 KOs)
  • Last Fight: Oscar Duarte (W, KO — 12/02/23)

The Odds

Moneyline: Barboza Jr. (-650) | McComb (+450)

Total Rounds: Over 10.5 (-105) | Under 10.5 (-130)

Note: Odds provided by Draftkings Sportsbook at approximately 11:40 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 20

Timeline Talk

 

The Decision

The first third of the fight has produced many more fireworks than Most would have anticipated. Both Garcia and Haney have been able to hurt each other with the left hand. While Haney has appeared flustered at times, the Las Vegas-based champion has been able to separate himself with his left and his consistent jab. As we move into the middle of the fight, it appears Haney is getting more and more comfortable with each passing minute. In response, Garcias has elected to move around the ring and keep his distance. These tactics, paired with the return of his makeshift attempt at a shoulder roll, has likely put him behind on the scorecards and at odds with an impatient Brooklyn crowd. The Victorville native isn’t out of it just yet, but he’s got to get back to being the aggressor and take chances if he hopes to walk away with the win.

Things have evened out in the second third of the fight. Garcia has become aggressive has Haney seemingly chases him down. However, the WBC Super Lightweight Champion’s aggression is being used against him as the Victorville native continues to him with power shots and sending him to the canvas for the first time in his career. Unfortunately, Garcia made the decision to hit Haney as the referee attempted to break them up in the seventh round, losing a point. Still, the momentum seems to be on Garcia’s side as we near the championship rounds, but he cannot go back to playing the champion’s game if he intends to get a decision or stoppage win.

The last four rounds delivered the drama fans were all looking for. Garcia’s ability capitalize on Haney’s aggression allowed him to use his reach, speed and power to hurt the Las Vegas-based fighter several times, but was it enough? We’ll know in a moment.

Live Score (Unofficial): Draw, 112-112

Final Score (Official): Garcia def. Haney, MD

 

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