Ryan Garcia stuns the boxing world as he demolishes Devin Haney

One of the most highly-anticipated fights on the calendar lived up to the billing with an enigmatic star leaving the boxing world in disbelief.

Ryan Garcia has just stunned the boxing world.

The American’s antics in the lead up to the fight against Devin Haney left many fans around the world concerned for his welfare, but once the bell rang he was a different beast.

BOXING: Nikita Tszyu returns to the ring for the first time in 2024 to defend his title against Danilo Creati plus another 4 big titles on the card | WED 24 APR 7PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Garcia stunned Haney with almost his first punch of the fight and knocked the previously undefeated WBC junior welterweight champ down to the canvas on three occassions.

The fight went the distance and Garcia earned the win from two of the judges, 114-110 and 115-109, with one calling it a 112-112 draw.

Haney’s belt is now vacated with Garcia not able to take the title after missing weight ahead of the fight.

Both men said during their post-fight interviews that they want to run the fight back for the title.

3.10pm - Garcia stuns the boxing world

Ryan Garcia has produced a blistering display to defeat WBC junior welterweight champ Devin Haney in a 12-round war.

Garcia said he was going to get the knockout victory and while he knocked the champ to the canvas three times, it was the judges that handed him the win.

Haney started well and controlled the first half of the fight before Garcia flipped it on its head.

While one judge scored the bout even at 112-112, the two remaining judges gave Garcia the win convincingly.

The loss is the first in the career of Haney and was also the first time he had been knocked down to the canvas.

Watch Garcia’s three knockdowns in the video player above

The WBC junior welterweight title will now be vacated. Bring on the rematch.

Ariel Helwani wrote: “Unbelievable. Ryan Garcia has just beaten Devin Haney by decision.

He earned that. He deserved to win. He just fought the fight of his life - amid all the madness - and won fair and square against a p4p great. One of the most memorable fights and performances I have ever witnessed. Wow.”

News Corps Brendan Bradford wrote: “The build up, the weigh-in, the fight, the refereeing, Derrick James, the knockdowns, Oscar’s suit, Garcia turning his back. One of the craziest fights ever. The cards will be wild.”

Garcia stunned the boxing world. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

2.15pm - Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia round by round

Round 1: Here we go. The talk is over, it’s time for action. Ryan Garcia came out aggressive and landed a big left hook that rattled Haney. The speed of Garcia is causing big trouble for the champ with the left hand landing over and again. Haney regained his composure in the final minute of the round. Garcia 10-9.

Haney getting rocked by the first punch#HaneyGarciapic.twitter.com/7J517q40y1

— Miguel (@AMereCon_) April 21, 2024

Round 2: Haney started working behind his jab while Garcia has that left hand locked and loaded. The champ avoided the dangerous shot several times but he’s still looking reluctant to close the gap. Tied 19-19.

Round 3: Haney is working on his angles and operating behind his jab and stunned Garcia with a big left hook with a minute to go in the round. Garcia seems intent on hitting the home run shot, he’s not throwing a whole lot else. Haney 29-28.

Round 4: Some big blows traded throughout the round with Haney controlling the ring and forcing Garcia to every corner on the back foot. Haney 39-37.

Round 5: Haney is continuing to work behind the jab and is controlling the tempo of the fight, Garcia is struggling to find an opening and looks like he’s waiting for a mistake from the champ to pounce with a counter. Haney 49-46.

Round 6: Garcia again came out aggressive as he swamped Haney with a flurry of shots. Haney brushed it off and got back to being the aggressor as Garcia moved back and forth along the ropes. Round could go either way. Haney 58-56.

Round 7: Down goes Haney! A monster left hook to the chin rocked the champ and Garcia went in for the kill. After being held and told to separate Garcia threw a right hook to the chin of Haney and was deducted a point. Haney hit the canvas two more times with the referee ruling them as not knockdowns. The champ suddenly looks in real trouble. Haney 66-65.

Ryan Garcia knocked down Devin Haney ! 😳😳#HaneyGarciapic.twitter.com/9vVcrYGeKy

— Beyond United (@BeyondUTD) April 21, 2024

Round 8: Garcia again pressing the issue and not wanting Haney to recover. The champ looked to have regained his composure and Garcia took his foot off the gas as we got back to regular proceedings we saw earlier. Haney 76-74

Round 9: Garcia has been warned throughout the fight about turning his back to Haney and the champ is beginning to take advantage with heavy shots above the left hip. This is living up to the billing. Haney 86-83

Round 10: Haney goes down again. For only the second time in his career the champ has hit the canvas. Garcia wanted the knockout finish and he’s looking for it here. Another big left hook stunned the champ but he stayed on his feet. Garcia is a man on a mission. Haney 94-93.

Round 11: The heavy punches from Garcia are doing the damage, and Haney goes down for a third time. Garcia looked towards Haney’s corner and pleaded with the champ’s dad to stop the fight. This is unbelievable. Garcia 103-102.

Round 12: We’re into the final round and the champ needs a knockout if he wants the win. Haney attempted to control the fight again as he walked down Garcia. The challenger spent the final 20 seconds taunting the champ and off to the judges scorecards we go. Tied 112-112.

1.45pm – Fighter robbed in fresh boxing drama on the undercard

It wasn’t anything flashy and at times the crowd grew tired of the fight playing out in front of them, in the end it was Arnold Barboza Jr. who had his hand raised in yet another questionable judging decision.

Sean McComb looked to have comfortably had the better of Barboza Jr. throughout the fight with one judge giving him the edge 98-92 on the cards.

The other two judges saw it differently and gave Barboza the fight with cards of 96-94, 97-93.

Fans couldn’t believe what they’d just witnessed after the latest boxing robbery.

Boxing journalist Dan Rafael wrote: “S**t decision. Really poor.”

DAZN’s Chris Mannix said: “I had it 7-3 McComb, I don’t know how you have it 7-3 the other way.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “How on earth do you have a scorecard that’s 98-92 McComb and one that’s 97-93 for Barboza? It makes absolutely no sense.

“I thought McComb won that fight, the crowd in here did as well but it’s the wideness of the scorecards … that has to be impossible. It doesn’t make sense.”

Cut it out boxing. That’s ridiculous. McComb won that easily. #HaneyGarcia

— Nick Van Exel (@vanexel31) April 21, 2024

One user wrote: “This is disgraceful. Boxing will always shoot itself in the foot. Barboza knows he lost. This is the worst part of boxing.”

A second added: “Boxing is unbelievably rigged lmao, every time i turn it on i remember why im an mma fan. Mccomb won that fight by large margin.”

12.40pm – Sickening cut brings fight to an end

Bektemir Melikuziev was sent to the doctor midway through the fifth round after a nasty cut opened up on his left eyelid.

The fight came narrowly close to being stopped, but after an inspection the doctor gave it the all clear and Melikuziev was allowed to fight on.

Replays showed the cut came from an accidental collision of heads in the fourth round.

Melikuziev suffers a sickening cut against Dibombe

Cut man earning his money tonight

After initially being given the all clear, ahead of the eighth round the doctor called Melikuziev back over for another inspection with the fight ultimately being stopped.

As the cut came from an accidental clash of heads, the fight will go to the scorecards with Melikuziev securing the technical unanimous decision victory over Pierre Dibombe.

One fan watching on wrote: “Right decision, should’ve been stopped when it first happened. That cut is absolutely brutal.”

Another user wrote: “Sheesh. Melikuziev almost lost an eye.”

That's a NASTY cut to Bek 😳#HaneyGarcia live on @DAZNBoxingpic.twitter.com/JNCawlnR1k

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 21, 2024

12pm – ‘Nutso’ Garcia’s classless final message

Ryan Garcia is taking his wild antics all the way through until he steps into the ring.

The star fighter’s final message for Haney as he entered his dressing room on Sunday was a message that suggested he will be out to kill Haney in the ring.

Ryan Garcia's classless final message. Photo: DAZN, Twitter.

Even in a light-hearted sense, the message has gone down like a lead balloon in a sport as dangerous and brutal as boxing.

His personalised top had messages on the front and back.

The front said: “Murder on my mind.”

The back of the jacket said: “RIP Devin Haney 1999-2024.”

If that wasn’t colourful enough, Garcia was then seen getting ready for the fight with a string quartet playing from inside his dressing room.

Boxing guru Dan Rafael described Garcia as “nutso” after seeing the footage from inside the Garcia rooms.

Different... 🎻 #HaneyGarcia live on @DAZNBoxingpic.twitter.com/0k9dBk9Eox

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 21, 2024

12pm — Fight card and results

Ryan Garcia def. Devin Haney (c) by majority decision (114-110, 115-109, 112-112) for the WBC junior welterweight title

Arnold Barboza Jr. def. Sean McComb via split decision (96-94, 97-93, 92-98)

Bektemir Melikuziev def. Pierre Dibombe via technical unanimous decision (79-73x 2, 78-74)

David Jimenez def. John Ramirez via unanimous decision (117-111, 117-111, 116-112)

Charles Conwell def. Nathaniel Gallimore via sixth-round TKO

11am — Garcia weigh-in farce

Garcia has been slammed over his lack of professionalism on a week that has severely dented his reputation on the world stage.

“Why would I force myself to make weight so I can be weak. Nah I’m here to win That’s it.”

Garcia appeared to down a bottle of beer as he flexed on stage after his missed weight debacle.

He later tweeted: “Apple Juice and sparkling water HEHE.”

The controversial boxer has sparked mental concerns with erratic behaviour in public and online. Earlier this week he proposed to Australian adult film star Savannah Bond.

Collingwood great and Brownlow medallist Dane Swan wrote on X: “Ryan Garcia is either the greatest fight promoter since Ali or is proper not well and absolutely shouldn’t be fighting.

“Not making weight suggests the latter. We shall see tomorrow.’

Respected boxing reporter Dan Rafael wrote on X: “You still think Ryan is trolling? Please. Kid shouldn’t be fighting. He’s not mentally or physically ready obviously.

“He has problems & I feel bad for him. He has a good heart but is messed up & has nobody around him who gives a damn. Haney going to hurt him.”

It’s the latest wild turn for the bout, with the combatants getting into a scuffle atop the Empire State Building earlier this week.