Ryan Garcia actually did it.
After one of the most bizarre lead-ups in recent boxing history, the controversial star pulled off an upset for the ages, knocking down Devin Haney three times en route to a stunning unanimous decision win on Saturday night in Brooklyn. Garcia missed weight by 3.2 pounds so he was unable to claim Haney’s WBC super lightweight title, but he ultimately still leaves the Barclays Center as one of the biggest names in boxing and the first man to defeat Haney in a professional contest.
Unsurprisingly, Garcia’s handiwork lit social media on fire. See how fighters reacted to 2024’s new frontrunner for boxing’s Fight of the Year below.
Who we got tonight? #HaneyGarcia — Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) April 21, 2024
Ryan Garcia said playtime is over . He’s coming for real . How this fight going !?!? #GarciaHaney — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 21, 2024
He praying fr this time — Alycia Baumgardner (@alyciambaum) April 21, 2024
Ryan look ready tho — Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) April 21, 2024
I want Garcia to win for the meme potential #GarciaVsHaney — Louis Smolka (@LouisSmolkaMMA) April 21, 2024
Ryan Garcia rocks Haney in round 1 ! Ayoooo #GarciaHaney — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 21, 2024
Cocaine is a PED — Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) April 21, 2024
O shit. What a first round by Garcia. Haney was rocked ! #HaneyGarcia — JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 21, 2024
This is a great fight. The referee has his work cut out #HaneyGarcia — JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 21, 2024
Looks like Ryan lost his confidence after the 1st round — Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) April 21, 2024
This fight just feels like high-level ghetto. It just feels ratchet ♂️ #HaneyGarcia — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 21, 2024
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) April 21, 2024
Omfg — JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 21, 2024
Greatest troll Job ever @RyanGarcia — Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) April 21, 2024
Ref saving Devin! — Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 21, 2024
This ref suck dick. — C H T O V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) April 21, 2024
Garcia on cooking right now #GarciaHaney — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 21, 2024
I knew something was up when he came in with those funky boots #HaneyGarcia — JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 21, 2024
Cocaine is a hell of a drug! — Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 21, 2024
This Ref must have a bet in — Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) April 21, 2024
This @RyanGarcia fight is WILD!!!!!!!!! — Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) April 21, 2024
NOW we got some action! The point deduction was a bit mehh for me. #HaneyGarcia — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 21, 2024
What crazy nigga fight — Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) April 21, 2024
Wild! This ref doing anything he can to keep Haney in the fight. Typical boxing. https://t.co/TPyBMmffHV — Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) April 21, 2024
Haney with the high crotch — Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) April 21, 2024
I hate that ref
#GarciaVsHaney — Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) April 21, 2024
I don’t like this ref. He’s on Haneys side #HaneyGarcia — JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 21, 2024
— PEARL GONZALEZ (@PearlGonzalez) April 21, 2024
I wish so hard to see elbowing somebody — Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) April 21, 2024
No way Haney can win this . Hes been dropped 3 times . IDGAF what a score card says ! #GarciaHaney — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 21, 2024
OMG! Ryan was playing us! #GarciaHaney — Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) April 21, 2024
If Ryan wants this fight I think he can get it he’s just relying on landing big shots too much — Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 21, 2024
Win or lose Garcia is badass #HaneyGarcia — JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 21, 2024
This is the craziest fight I’ve ever seen — Jake Paul (@jakepaul) April 21, 2024
Ryan Garcia! This is actually poetic comedy. Is he legit “off”? Or is it all a show? His Skills are different than typical boxers but it works for him. This is a pretty impressive showing against a fundamentally sound Haney. #HaneyGarcia — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 21, 2024
I mean. Ryan won the “fight”. But this could be a draw on the cards. #GarciaVsHaney — Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) April 21, 2024
The judges better not fuck around #HaneyGarcia — JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 21, 2024
I don’t know if Ryan will get the nod but he absolutely whooped Devins ass — Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 21, 2024
They don’t wanna see raza win — Tracy Cortez’s ERA (@TracyCortezmma) April 21, 2024
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) April 21, 2024
Fuck yah boxing got it rt king ry what a performance — Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 21, 2024
Crazy motherfucker did it. Wow — Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 21, 2024
@RyanGarcia just shocked everyone… what a performance — Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) April 21, 2024
I’m glad Garcia didn’t get a BS draw decision. He clearly was winning those later rounds, plus the KDs. That would’ve been criminal but it’s nice to see the proper decisions get made — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 21, 2024
Man, analyst acting like @RyanGarcia list that fight. 3 knockdowns and two wobbles… these dudes talking crazy man. Like Ryan 3 weeks ago.
He won that fight from beginning to end. — Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) April 21, 2024
What a good job by Ryan Garcia. Came to fight and brought it to Haney. Congratulations @RyanGarcia #GarciaVsHaney — The Golden Boy (@edmenshahbazyan) April 21, 2024
Ryan Garcia is a Superstar now — Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) April 21, 2024
Shoutout Ryan Garcia sick fight @RyanGarcia — Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) April 21, 2024
Fighting narrative is crazy 5 hours ago
Ryan is crazy Ryan isn’t in shape Ryan on drugs Ryan a troll, he won I only see wow what a performance! Lol. Fighting is so mental. Don’t believe all u see. Was great fight. At the end all is an opinion. Have one. — C H T O V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) April 21, 2024