Eddie Hearn: Ryan Garcia Refused To Fight Devin Haney
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn claims that Ryan Garcia turned down an opportunity to fight Devin Haney.
Haney is the WBC Lightweight Champion. Garcia lays claim to the interim WBC gold. While Garcia has a mandate to fight for the main WBC Title, Haney will instead face Jorge Linares next. The WBC has now ordered Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna to determine the true number one contender for the winner of Haney vs. Linares.
Hearn appeared on SiriusXM & DAZN Boxing’s The Ak & Barak Show. During his appearance, Hearn claimed that Garcia outright “refused” to fight Haney (h/t Michael Benson).
Eddie Hearn: "Ryan Garcia refused to fight Devin Haney, so we fight Linares and they made Garcia vs Fortuna. No problem – as long as we get the fight we want at the end… If they are good enough to come through, let's just get it made in Sept/Oct." [@SiriusXMBoxing & @DAZNBoxing] pic.twitter.com/UdwbwXXY2H
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 6, 2021
“Ryan Garcia refused to fight Devin Haney, so we fight Linares and they made Garcia vs Fortuna. No problem – as long as we get the fight we want at the end… If they are good enough to come through, let’s just get it made in Sept/Oct.”
Garcia hasn’t committed to a showdown with Haney. Instead, he’s been more focused on Gervonta Davis. During his own appearance on The Ak & Barak Show earlier this year, Garcia suggested Haney take a fight with Teofimo Lopez.
“I’m sleeping right now on that. This is the thing man, Eddie Hearn, he’s trying to make it seem like I’m not trying to chase greatness or belts and stuff. Belts don’t mean anything nowadays. Belts literally mean I could take somebody off the streets right now and if I play it politically correct, I’ll make him a champion. That’s not what it’s about. Being a champion is to be the people’s champion now. People know who’s the best fighters in these divisions. They feel it.
“The fight to be made is me and Gervonta Davis. Haney needs to fight Teofimo Lopez and whoever wins that, I’ll fight the winner.”