“Welcome to the fight of the year,” beamed promoter Oscar De La Hoya.
Thursday in Los Angeles, the Golden Boy Promotions boss introduced WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney and his own fighter, challenger Ryan Garcia, to the stage for the second time this week.
The boxers – old amateur rivals – met for the last time before fight week commences, with their clash set for April 20 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
After boxing each other six times in the amateurs, the stakes are incredibly high now that they meet as world-class professionals. Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) isn’t just a champion; he is, for many, one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world.
“We’re really excited to finally have Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney square off April 20,” De La Hoya said, “and keep in mind both guys have three wins against each other in the amateurs. Now this one on April 20 will show the world who the very best is.
“What I love about this fight is, it takes me back to the days when the best fought the best.
“When I approached the Haneys, they were in, 1,000 percent, quick, right off the bat,” De La Hoya said. “I approached Ryan, and he was, ‘Right, let’s do this.’ He wanted to fight Haney. So this is what boxing’s all about, this is what Golden Boy’s all about: making the best fight the best.”
And while De La Hoya is working with the 25-year-old Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), and while they seem to be able to do so despite many differences in the recent past, the promoter was quick to credit Haney, also 25, for his career accomplishments.
“Obviously, everything he’s worked hard for has come true – that’s why he’s one of the best at 140 pounds,” De La Hoya said. “Take a look at the division. I’m talking about the past, the lineage – champions like Pernell Whitaker, Devin Haney, Julio Cesar Chavez. I’m not embarrassed to include myself in there also. But if you take a look at the division, it’s one of the best, most competitive divisions in the world today. And when you talk about it, it’s Ryan Garcia who’s making the noise, who’s making this buzz for boxing on a global level.
“You combine both fighters – the best – and, I’m telling you, April 20 you will have the biggest event in boxing history.”