Las Vegas, Nevada – Ryan Garcia’s antics leading up to his fight with WBC junior welterweight champion Devin Haney took a concerning turn as he missed weight by coming in at 143.2 pounds, well over the 140-pound limit. Despite initial speculation that his behavior was a psychological tactic, Garcia’s weight miss raised questions about his preparation and commitment.

Throughout the week, Haney had voiced his suspicions about Garcia’s weight, hinting that the challenger appeared heavy. The situation escalated during a press conference where Garcia proposed a bet with Haney, offering to pay the champion $500,000 per pound over the junior welterweight limit if he missed weight. Although both fighters reached a financial agreement to proceed with the match, Garcia’s failure to meet the weight requirement overshadowed the pre-fight buildup.

This weight discrepancy added to the already bizarre narrative surrounding Garcia, who had been exhibiting erratic behavior on social media and in public appearances. From engaging in conspiracy theory-fueled rants to facing allegations of inappropriate conduct, Garcia’s behavior had raised concerns about his mental state leading up to the fight with Haney.

A physical altercation between Haney and Garcia at the Empire State Building further fueled the drama, resulting in the pair being removed from a scheduled appearance at a New York Mets game. While the clash of personalities added intrigue to the matchup, Garcia’s failure to make weight meant he was ineligible to compete for the WBC title, missing his chance at a coveted world championship.

Despite the setbacks and controversies, the fight between Garcia and Haney proceeded as planned, leaving many observers uneasy about the implications of rewarding Garcia’s behavior. The aftermath of the weigh-in mishap raised questions about the young boxer’s professionalism and readiness for a title shot, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a significant moment in his career. As Garcia seeks to bounce back from this setback, the boxing world watches closely to see how he will address these challenges and whether he can regain his focus inside and outside the ring.