Haney vs. Garcia Still Not Sold Out – ‘Someone Tried To Cash Out’
Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia is still struggling to sell out, leaving fans wondering if there will be a large number of empty seats.
Haney faces Garcia on April 20 in the first defense of his WBC Junior Welterweight Title. The fight is being dubbed one of the biggest of the year, given their rivalry. Garcia and Haney have fought each other six times in the amateurs, with their record at 3-3. That left the upcoming fight with everything to play for since there is no rematch clause.
However, the build-up has divided boxing fans. Garcia admitted smoking weed and drinking alcohol, leading some to suggest that he was not focused on the fight. Garcia has also been spending excessive time on social media, playing into the narrative that he is not prepared mentally. Haney’s star power has also been questioned. His last fight against Regis Prograis allegedly sold only 50,000 PPVs, while Garcia had sold over 1.2 million for the Gervonta Davis fight.
Garcia On Haney
“I am underestimated. They hate me because I won’t shut up. I feel like I deserve more. I feel it should have been 65-35, to be honest. [And] I like to make big fights happen. A lot of boxers have an ego and don’t want to admit that they’re not a draw, so I have to work around that.
“As a person that wants to amplify the sport, money is going to come and go. Devin Haney is not a draw, and I definitely have been carrying this promotion on my back by myself. Nobody wants to watch a guy that supposedly can’t crack an egg. We’re not going to underestimate him. He may have power when I step in there with him. I don’t know,” Garcia stated
Tickets are struggling to sell due to a combination of factors. The ringside seats were allegedly $5,000-10,000, making them very high for the venue at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. DAZN has also cut the PPV price from $80 to $69.99.
With tickets still left, the promoters must decide whether to give out complimentary tickets or reduce prices. Despite the background noise, both fighters are focused on winning. Haney knows a win puts him in a position to secure the biggest fights and grow his fanbase. Meanwhile, Garcia can silence his critics by grabbing his first world title. Heading into the fight, Haney fancied his chances.
Haney On Garcia
“Ryan Garcia has known me since I was 10 years old. He knows the type of fighter I am. He can say what he is going to say; we know he is going to bark and downplay me, the type of fighter I am. After April 20, he is going to say he knew how great I was. A lot of these guys have had power. I am just on a different level. He can bring all the power he wants. I am going to bring the skills, the IQ that I got, and show him, handicap him of his power, like I do,” Haney said
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