UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is one of Ryan Garcia’s fiercest rivals – even though the pair compete in different sports.
So after the boxer took his biggest scalp yet with a stunning win over Devin Haney last night, fans were eager to see how he would react to the big result. O’Malley has previously stated that the one fight UFC would allow him to take in the ring would be against the California native, who is a controversial figure.
And there would certainly be interest in such a crossover now that the boxer finally has a major win on his record in the two-weight world champion Haney. Garcia cemented himself as a legitimate superstar with his win at the Barclays Center, and now has numerous options for upcoming money fights.
Ryan Garcia drops Devin Haney three times in stunning upset victory
Brooklyn, New York played host to one of the biggest underdog victories in recent boxing memory as Ryan Garcia managed to overcome monstrous odds to take the win over Devin Haney. Some bookmakers had him as wide as 5/1, despite him having three previous wins over his rival as an amateur.
But from the first bell he met Haney in the centre, and almost had his opponent down early when one of his patented left hooks landed. However, it wasn’t until the seventh that he truly took charge as he dropped the former undisputed lightweight champion with that same shot.
Garcia had a point deducted for punching out of the clinch, and surely needed further firepower on the scorecards to secure a win. And he obliged with a further pair of knockdowns in the tenth and eleventh to secure the victory.
Ryan Garcia calls for MMA fight with UFC champion Sean O’Malley
Prior to his fight with Haney, Garcia had worried fans with his concerning antics in the press and on social media. One more light-hearted moment was his claim that he could win in the octagon against UFC bantamweight champion O’Malley.
The 135lb kingpin responded in joking fashion, telling his rival: “Brother, I would kill you within minutes. I could take him down and choke him, but I would kick him in the f***ing body, I would kick his little sticks. I would do whatever the f*** I wanted.
“I could box him with MMA gloves, it’s a different sport just with those little MMA gloves. The distance is different. I could beat [Ryan Garcia] and Devin Haney in the same night, back to back in a fight.”
Sean O’Malley mocks Ryan Garcia over technique in Devin Haney victory
Despite universal praise for Garcia’s performance against Haney, O’Malley was keen to point out one major critique. The boxer was noted for turning his back at multiple points, which stopped Haney’s momentum as the referee had to reset them.
O’Malley shared a video to social media where he jokingly showed off techniques with his coach Tim Welch. “Throw the left hook and instantly turn your back,” said O’Malley in the footage, while comically curling up.
The technique Garcia was using is illegal in boxing, but he was not penalised for it by the referee, who did take a point from him for a different infraction. For O’Malley’s part, he captioned the video: “Impressive performance. Interesting technique.”