DEVIN HANEY’S father accused Ryan Garcia of “cheating” his way to victory.
Garcia dropped Haney three times en route to a stunning comeback in New York.
But the increase was marred by controversy, reaching new heights when Garcia came in at 3.2 pounds over the 140-pound limit.
This meant the American superstar missed out on the chance to win the WBC super lightweight title from Haney.
But Garcia gained a significant advantage by agreeing to pay the champion financial compensation.
Now, Haney’s father, trainer and manager, Bill, appears to have suggested that Garcia was overweight on purpose.
He said boxing scene: “This is calculated. That’s cheating.”
Garcia agreed to a handshake bet with Haney Jr and Sr to pay him $500,000 for every pound he gained overweight.
And on the day of the weigh-in, both teams won a US$1.5 MILLION fine was honored.
Instead, Bill allegedly traded $600,000 of Garcia’s purse plus two percent of his pay-per-view bonuses.
Haney, 25, was a big favorite at the start of the fight due to his superior track record, with titles in two divisions.
And Garcia, 25, appeared to be suffering a public breakdown after several online protests, fake marriage proposals and nights of drinking.
But he put in a remarkable, almost unthinkable performance to stun Haney and hand him his first career loss.
Bill added: “We were against everything that was wrong with boxing.
“[Devin] followed the rules. It was knocked down. He got up again and again and fought like the champion he still is.
“He proved he was a warrior and now life goes on.”
Garcia, who had six fights with Haney as an amateur, winning three of them, is known for his left hook.
And Bill admitted that the failure to prevent the shot from hitting – in the first round – was what proved to be his son’s downfall.
Garcia and Haney’s Story Explained
The story goes back well before the fight in Brooklyn.
Garcia and Haney boxed six times as amateurs before turning pro with three wins against each other.
Their shared history in the unpaid ranks meant that a blockbuster fight among the pros was only a matter of time.
And when it did, any friendship formed turned sour after a volatile development between the two.
Garcia was even subject to a mental health evaluation by the New York commission due to his worrying outbursts on social media.
But he had the last laugh in the ring as he dropped Haney three times on the way to a famous upset.
Although even a clear win was marred by controversy after Garcia came in 3.2 pounds overweight just a day before his in-ring heroics.
The rematch clause was not included in the contract, but a sequel cannot be ruled out after so many chapters of rivalry.
He said: “Initially being hit, I don’t think [Devin] recovered. Getting caught early was a recipe for disaster.
“We had a plan for the left hand because it’s Ryan’s money shot.”
Haney retained his WBC belt after Garcia’s failure to make weight, but the contract did not include a rematch clause.
The defeated champion posted a photo of himself bumping into Garcia’s promoter, Oscar de la Hoya, just days after his brutal defeat.
Meanwhile, Garcia enjoyed a winning streak, including a meeting with former President Donald Trump.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
