Notebook: Garcia's erratic behavior continues as Haney fight looms
Zayas to headline on Puerto Rican Parade weekend in NYC; Edwards-Curiel flyweight fight set; Limond dies at 45; Quick hits; Show and tell
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Ryan Garcia’s fight week in New York has so far consisted largely of non-stop and often bizarre social media posts — words, videos and audio about all sorts of conspiracy theories, his desire to have 50 children, religion, dealing with women and very little boxing — at a time when he probably should be locked in on his opponent, WBC junior welterweight titleholder Devin Haney.
They are scheduled to fight in the main event of a Golden Boy card on Saturday (PPV.com, $79.99, DAZN PPV, 8 p.m. ET) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where ticket sales have been very soft, likely due to either exorbitant prices that Garcia complained about and that have been discounted in recent days or over concern that Garcia’s unhinged behavior over the past few months may keep him from making it to the ring.
There has been such uneasiness about Garcia’s outlandish behavior that he was apparently called before the New York State Athletic Commission for a mental health evaluation. He has previously taken time off from boxing to address mental health issues.
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Since their two-city media tour to New York and Los Angeles to announce the fight in February, Haney has accused Garcia of doing cocaine or being drunk and has taunted him about his supposed issues making the 140-pound weight limit.
And on Tuesday when they went before media members atop the Empire State Building for a traditional fight-week photo-op it should have come as no surprise that it quickly devolved into the fighters going nose to nose as they shouted and cursed at each other before Haney had had enough and gave the shirtless Garcia a hard shove in the chest and face.
That prompted Bill Haney, Devin’s father, trainer and manager, to shout at Garcia’s father, Henry, that it was the last straw and that he was sending his son into the ring to kill Garcia, who had previously written on social media that his “mission” was to kill Haney in the ring.
It has all made for a buildup about as unseemly as any in recent memory and it shows no sign of abating before fight night.
Later on Tuesday, Haney and Garcia were scheduled to throw out ceremonial first pitches at the New York Mets game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at CitiField but Mets officials canceled their appearance after they and their teams arrived because they did not want to risk there being an incident between them on the field after the physical altercation at the Empire State Building.
Garcia, of course, followed up with a social media video eviscerating the Mets that he filmed as he was leaving the stadium.
But wait, there’s more
On Wednesday, the slow-moving train wreck continued at the open media workout at famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, where a seemingly unstable and still-shirtless Garcia went off in interviews, including during DAZN’s live coverage of the event.
“I don’t listen to these fucking mother fuckers anymore. Everybody’s some fucking hater. Look at me motherfucker,” Garcia, who was very emotional and almost shaking, shouted at the hosts. “I passed all the drug tests. You guys hate the truth; that’s the fact. It’s right in front of your face. How the fuck am I gonna miss weight? I’m sorry (for the language). I’m a little turned up right now.
“RG has been mentally evaluated by every physician, therapist. I’ve had to jump through hurdles to prove I don’t do drugs. I passed every test. I’m just a motherfucker on a mission. … I’m strong and I’m ready to destroy this motherfucker.”
Garcia, a significant underdog, did turn to boxing eventually.
“If Devin doesn’t land face first, then I did something wrong,” Garcia said. “You can’t deny all the work that (trainer) Derrick (James) and I have put in either. My technique is better, my hands are up, the chin is down — what do you all have to say? The social media is all just noise! I post something and then people think I’m crazy. I know what I am doing, and I’m in the middle of a promotional fight. This is the most important fight of my career, and I will not leave without the victory.”
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), 25, of Los Angeles, is seeking his second win in a row following a seventh-round knockout loss on a body shot from Gervonta Davis in their 136-pound nontitle fight in a blockbuster pay-per-view last April in Las Vegas. Garcia, who many believe quit against Davis, is also seeking his first world title against a foe he split six fights with in the amateur ranks.
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs), 25, of Las Vegas, the former undisputed lightweight champion, is making his first junior welterweight title defense after moving up in weight and dropping and shutting out Regis Prograis to take the title in December.
Despite clearly being upset about whatever Garcia was saying to him during the Empire State Building face off that prompted the shove, Haney claims nothing Garcia has done has bothered him.
“I mean none of Ryan’s antics has really gotten under my skin,” Haney said. “I’m a true professional. When I get into that ring, I am going to do my job. No matter how I feel, no matter what Ryan shows up, or whatever he says. He can say whatever he wants to say. I am going to let my hands talk in the ring on Saturday night.
“Ryan may have the speed, but I have the timing. I just want to show how I am levels above this guy. Ryan is an average fighter with a big name. I am a proven fighter, proven champion. I was tested by some of the best fighters in the world, and I am here for a reason.”
We broke out my recent interview with Devin Haney as a stand-alone episode of our podcast as he heads into Saturday’s WBC junior welterweight title defense against Ryan Garcia. Give it a listen, a review, and also subscribe to get an alert when the next episode is available. New shows every Thursday and Sunday night.
Zayas in first main event
Puerto Rican junior middleweight blue chip prospect Xander Zayas and former titlist Patrick Teixeira will fight in the 10-round main event of the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card on June 8 (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, 11 p.m. ET) — the eve of the annual Puerto Rican Day parade — at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, Top Rank announced on Wednesday, making official what Fight Freaks Unite reported a month ago.
Top featherweight prospect Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, of Brooklyn, New York, will face Jose Enrique Vivas, of Mexico, in the 10-round co-feature.
“This is a great New York City card featuring two young men, Xander Zayas and Bruce Carrington, who are poised to become two of the sport’s biggest stars,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. “Our Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend cards are always special, and I can’t wait for another raucous atmosphere.”
Zayas-Teixeira was originally set for Feb. 16 at The Theater in the co-feature of WBC junior lightweight titlist O’Shaquie Foster’s split decision win over Abraham Nova. However, Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs), 21, of Sunrise, Florida, withdrew, electing to taking time off to rest and let minor nagging injuries heal, according to Top Rank.
“Representing Puerto Rico on a date in which Boricua culture is celebrated and honored represents a sacred commitment that I have with my people,” Zayas said. “I won’t just be fighting for myself. I’ll be fighting for each and every Puerto Rican who always perseveres when the going gets tough. This is my first main event and my first fight against a former world champion, and I plan on carrying my flag and making it shine on one of the world’s biggest stages.”
Teixeira (34-4, 25 KOs), 33, a Brazilian southpaw, won a stay-busy fight on March 16 in Brazil, notching a fourth-round knockout of Edisson Saltarin.
“It took longer than expected, but this fight is finally here,” Teixeira said. “I can’t wait to get in the ring and put the division on notice. I did it once before when I won my world title against (Carlos) Adames on a Top Rank show, and I’m going to do it again with one of their rising stars. Zayas is a great talent, and everyone there will be supporting him during that important weekend. But my experience will make the difference.”
Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), 26, looked sensational in a big fourth-round knockout of Bernard Torres on the Foster-Nova card.
“Vivas should be my toughest opponent to date, but as I do every time I fight in ‘Shu York City,’ I’m going to put on a crowd-pleasing performance,” Carrington said. “It’s special to fight in front of the great Puerto Rican fans.”
Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), 29, has lost decisions the three times he stepped up in class against former title challengers Ruben Villa, Eduardo Baez and Joet Gonzalez.
Edwards vs. Curiel is on
Former flyweight titlist Sunny Edwards and former junior flyweight titleholder Adrian Curiel will meet in a 12-round flyweight bout on June 29 (DAZN), Matchroom Boxing announced.
The fight will be the co-feature on the card headlined by lineal/WBC junior bantamweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada against Jesse Rodriguez, who is returning to 115-pounds and trying to reclaim the WBC belt he vacated, at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Initially, Edwards-Curiel was being contemplated to take place at junior flyweight with Edwards to move down in weight, but ultimately it was made at flyweight with Curiel moving up one division. The reason is because Matchroom Boxing hopes that if Edwards wins he will face flyweight Galal Yafai (7-0, 5 KOs), the 2020 British Olympic gold medalist, who is on an extremely fast track because he is already 31.
As part of the fight announcement, Matchroom Boxing said Edwards had signed a new contract with the company.
“I’m really excited to get the next chapter of my career underway,” Edwards said. “Agreeing to another deal with Matchroom confirms my future here for the foreseeable future. With the belief I’ve got in me from the promotional team and the events I’ve been involved in, I know I’m in the right place.
“Me versus Curiel is a hell of a fight. He is a former world champion like myself, and we’re both fighting to get back into world title contention.”
Edwards (20-1, 4 KOs), 28, of England, and Curiel (24-5-1, 5 KOs), 25, of Mexico, are both coming off knockout losses that cost them their titles. Rodriguez pummeled Edwards in a ninth-round stoppage in their WBO/IBF flyweight unification fight in December. After scoring a huge second-round upset KO of Sivenathi Nontshinga to win the IBF junior flyweight title in November, Curial lost it via 10th-round knockout in an immediate rematch in February.
“I’m looking forward to being back,” Curiel said. “I have a brand-new opportunity for my career. When you lose, you learn, and I will prove it against Edwards. If they want to make it 112 pounds we will take it even though this is not my weight.”
iFL TV appearance
I joined my friends at iFL TV to discuss a bunch of boxing topics: the Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia fight, Jaron Ennis’ signing with Eddie Hearn, the announcement of the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undisputed light heavyweight title fight and the superb “5 vs. 5” fights that comprise the undercard, and more. Check out the video here:
Mannix podcast
I joined my longtime pal Chris Mannix this week on his podcast and we discussed various topics, including heavyweight Jared Anderson win over Ryad Merhy in a horrible fight; the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undisputed light heavyweight title fight announcement and the tremendous lineup of “5 vs. 5” fights that comprise the undercard; Jaron Ennis’ signing with Matchroom Boxing; and Naoya Inoue and the belief from some that he needs to fight in the U.S. to really become a star. Devin Haney also joined Chris. Give it a listen here:
Willie Limond dies
Willie Limond, a former British and Commonwealth champion Willie Limond died on Monday. He was 45.
His son, Jake Limond, a 6-0 pro welterweight, confirmed his father’s passing on social media. Willie Limond, of Glasgow, Scotland, had been found unresponsive in his car after suffering an apparent seizure.
He was scheduled to box Joe Laws on May 3 in his first bout since an eighth-round knockout loss to former world titlist Ricky Burns in a welterweight bout last September.
Limond (42-6, 13 KOs), who turned pro in 1999, won the Commonwealth lightweight title in 2006 and lost it in his first defense to an up-and-coming Amir Khan by eight-round knockout. In 2013, Limond won the Commonwealth junior welterweight title and added the British title in 2014.
“Everyone at St. Andrew’s Sporting Club are shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of our friend, Willie Limond,” his gym said in a statement on social media. “Willie was not only a legend of the sport, but an infectious character who will be greatly missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Limond family.”
The British Boxing Board of Control also offered its condolences, posting that it was “very saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former British and Commonwealth Champion Willie Limond. Our sincere sympathies and thoughts are with Willie’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Other name fighters Limond faced included Hall of Famer Erik Morales and former lightweight titlist Anthony Crolla.
Quick hits
Former WBA junior flyweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi will face Vince Paras in a rematch on May 11 in Incheon, South Korea. Kyoguchi defended the IBF strawweight title by unanimous decision over Paras (20-2-1, 15 KOs), 25, of the Philippines, in 2018 in Tokyo. Kyoguchi (18-1, 12 KOs), 30, of Japan, will be seeking his third win in a row since a seventh-round knockout loss to Kenshiro Teraji in their WBC/WBA junior flyweight unification fight in November 2022.
In an all-English fight, Tyler Denny (18-2-3, 1 KO), 32, will defend the European middleweight title against former British and Commonwealth champion Felix Cash (16-0, 10 KOs), 31, on June 22 (DAZN) at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England, Matchroom Boxing announced. Denny will be making his first defense since stopping Mateo Signani in the eighth round to win the belt in November. Cash, now trained by Adam Booth, will have his first fight in 18 months. In the co-feature, welterweight Lewis Crocker (19-0, 11 KOs), 27, of Northern Ireland, will fight Conah Walker (13-2-1, 5 KOs), 28, of England, in a 10-rounder. Also, lightweight prospect Cameron Vuong (4-0, 3 KOs), 21, will face British countryman Jordan Flynn (10-0-1, 1 KO), 28, in 10-rounder. They were to have fought last week in a heated rivalry fight but Vuong was sidelined with an injury and Flynn outpointed a replacement.
Show and tell
Kelly Pavlik had knocked out Jermain Taylor in sensational fashion to win the lineal and unified middleweight world title, beat him again in a nontitle rematch and made three successful defenses (each by knockout), although he dropped an upset decision to Bernard Hopkins in a nontitle bout in between defense No. 1 and 2. Still, Pavlik was the favorite when he defended against Sergio Martinez, who had held a junior middleweight belt but was officially 0-1-1 in his previous two fights, a controversial majority decision loss to Paul Williams and an absurd draw with Kermit Cintron.
I was ringside at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as Pavlik and Martinez fought a highly competitive fight. But it was Martinez, with a big kick, who dominated the late rounds after opening a terrible cut over Pavlik’s right eye in the ninth round. Pavlik had clueless and wholly unprepared cutman Sid Brumback, who Pavlik hired to save money, in his corner. He was unable to stop, or even slow, the flow of blood, which clearly distressed Pavlik. In the end, Martinez won a unanimous decision, 116-111, 115-111 and 115-112, to take the lineal, WBC and WBO titles. The fight took place on April 17, 2010 — 14 years ago on Wednesday. Here’s a rare glossy HBO poster in my collection.
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Photos: Garcia: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy; Limond: Reuters
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Throwing shade at the Mets doesn’t seem all that crazy to me.
Well, if u compare Ryan to what others write on substack about the left, right, media, government, etc he seems normal to me. 😀