Ryan Garcia Addresses Devin Haney’s “Skinny” Taunts Ahead Of Romero Clash: Weight Struggles And Rematch Motivations

Ryan Garcia says he understands why Devin Haney and his dad, Bill Haney, were taking verbal shots at him, calling him “Skinny” during today’s final press conference for Friday’s Fatal Fury event at Times Square in New York City.

(Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)

Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) says Bill is trying to bolster his son’s self-belief because he’s lost it after the way he was beaten last April. But he also feels that Bill is trying to get an early start in creating interest in the October rematch.

Ryan faces Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in the headliner this Friday night, while Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) fights Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature. The event will be shown live on DAZN PPV, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET on May 2nd.

“It’s just that, ‘You look skinny.’ He was trying to prove I did PEDs. If I did it, why does he want to prove it so much to himself,” said Ryan Garcia to Fight Hub TV when asked what was his argument with Devin Haney all about at today’s final press conference.

Haney’s Motives

1. Financial incentives – most important.
2. Restore his reputation
3. Payback
4. Prove it was a fluke

“It’s always going to be hard. I was fighting at 143 for all my fights. I never fought at 140 actually,” said Ryan about it being hard for him to make weight. “So, no matter what, even in the 140s, everything is going to be tough.”

At this point in Garcia’s career, he needs to be at 147 because, like he said, he never fought at 140. Even trying to make a catchweight of 143 is difficult for him. The light welterweight division is dead anyway. Ryan is better off fighting at welterweight, and he’s poised to take over the division after Jaron Ennis moves up to 154.

“I did it right this time. I’m not cutting at the last second. As you can see, I’m already skinny. I’m already on weight. Last time, I waited until the last day to lose 13 lbs, which is nuts, and only lost 10,” said Ryan about making weight for his last bout against Haney on April 20th.

Trying to lose 13 lbs in one day explains why Garcia came in 3 lbs overweight for his last fight against Haney. His discipline was missing in the preparation for that mega-fight. That’s surprising, but it shows how messed up Ryan’s life was at the time.

Skinny Remarks

“So, when he [Devin] says, ‘You look skinny,’ yeah, I cut way before. They’re trying to butter themselves up and make themselves more confident. That’s what it is. Again, he’s [Bill Haney] just trying to build up the fight. Build up the rematch and build up the belief in his son.

“His son doesn’t got no belief in himself. So, that’s exactly what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to find any edge, any angle. They know what the truth is. They know boxing. If you know boxing, you know what happened in the ring had nothing to do with no PEDs. His son got hit with the same shot a million times. That’s boxing. That ain’t no PEDs,” said Ryan Garcia about Devin Haney.