Garcia Vows To Channel Mike Tyson, Bite Haney’s Ear

Ryan Garcia channelled Mike Tyson, stating he is willing to bite Devin Haney’s ear ahead of their April 20 clash.

The comments were made during the Haney-Garcia open workout. The fight has been marred by bad blood, with fiery comments on both sides. Haney pushed Garcia at the Empire State Building during their recent face-off. Bill Haney also went after Garcia, stating that his son would win via a ‘legal homicide.’

The fight has divided fans, with tickets struggling to sell. But Garcia is not slowing down anytime soon, as he vowed to cross the line and follow Tyson’s infamous bite on Evander Holyfield. During their second fight, Iron Mike bit Holyfield’s ear twice before he was disqualified from the bout. Garcia has vowed to do the same.

Garcia On Haney

“I’m going to kill him. I don’t care what happens in this ring. If he ain’t out f*ing face-first then I did something wrong. [And] If I’ve got to elbow that [man], break his shoulders then I’m going to do it. If I have to bite both of his ears off, I am,” Garcia said 

Garcia’s behavior did raise question marks over whether he was mentally well. So far, he has admitted to smoking weed and drinking alcohol. His social media activity has also divided fans, suggesting he was not fully locked in for the fight. The boxer underwent a mental health evaluation from the New York State Athletic Commission to see if he was fit to fight. The board cleared him, leaving the boxer free to fight on Saturday. While there can be no excuses if Garcia comes up short, there is still a perception that Haney is facing a less-than-100 percent Garcia.

“I got mentally evaluated on a Zoom call by the NYC commission and I passed with flying colours. And then they said all your tests have come out perfect, you have no drugs in your system, you are perfectly fine,” Garcia stated 

Garcia’s Criticism

There is also a perception that Garcia’s behavior is being done to sell the fight. Reports stress the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, has not sold out. That has been put down to Garcia’s behavior, Haney’s lack of star power and the location, with neither fighter having a connection to the area.

Although that may be true, Garcia’s social media following has grown with this fight. The boxer has added more casual fans to his fanbase based on his social media activity. Garcia’s following on X has grown by at least 200,000 since the fight was announced. However, the boxer dismissed suggestions that it was all an act to improve his brand.

“No. It’s important things that I’m dead…serious about. But again, I’m also in the middle of the promotion of a fight so..if it sells, it sells. At the end of the day, I know what I’m doing,” Garcia revealed

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