García attracted ridicule and ire for some of his antics ahead of the Haney bout. At the weigh-in 24 hours before the fight, he failed to make the super-lightweight limit of 63.5kg (140lb). García had made a bet with his opponent that he would give him $500,000 (470,000 euros) for every pound he was over the limit. That cost him $1.5 million (1.41 million euros). It also robbed the contest of the incentive provided by the title belt, and reduced the interest on pay-per-view channels.

While still on the scales, García then taunted his critics by appearing to drink beer although he later said on social media that it was actually apple juice and sparkling water. The bookmakers made him a heavy 6/1 underdog, but he still managed to inflict a first professional defeat in 32 fights on his former amateur rival and fellow Californian.

García knocked Haney down three times and was declared the winner by two judges at ringside, 114-110 and 115-109, with the other judge scoring it 112-112. It would have been a unanimous points win had García not been deducted a point in the seventh round.

After his victory, the son of Mexican parents told reporters, "I walked through fire and still beat Devin Haney, and still I drink every day and I beat him. It's not something I'm proud of, but it's a demonstration that you can't destroy me."

Haney has requested a rematch but García has done little but celebrate in his own way, sharing his exploits to his numerous followers of social media.

Miami What’s good pic.twitter.com/xKfAcvDEgh

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) April 22, 2024

A rematch is possible but García, one of the most talked-about figures in boxing, has said he has no intention of fighting again at super-lightweight so Haney would have to move up to the 67kg welterweight class. Another possible opponent is Gervonta Davis who handed García his only defeat a year ago but, again, 'The Tank' would have to go up in weight to make that match happen.