Ryan Garcia has thrown gasoline on the welterweight debate, predicting Devin Haney would outpoint unified junior middleweight champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis if the two met at 147 pounds. Garcia’s take, aired amid Haney’s recent move up to welterweight, directly challenges Ennis’s reputation as one of boxing’s most dangerous punchers at 154 pounds. The junior middleweight division has been a graveyard for welterweight contenders, but Garcia’s confidence in Haney’s adaptability underscores the intrigue around a potential Haney-Ennis showdown.
Haney’s lightweight pedigree—four successful defenses at 135 pounds—gives him a technical edge over bigger opponents, but Ennis’s power at 154 pounds has flattened multiple challengers. The welterweight division’s depth compounds the stakes. Haney’s move to 147 pounds isn’t just about proving himself against Ennis; it’s a calculated gamble against a division stacked with power punchers like Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.
Crawford, the undisputed titlist, has already dismantled welterweight contenders with ease, while Spence’s resume—including wins over Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia—positions him as a looming obstacle. Haney’s ability to navigate this landscape will determine whether his welterweight move is a career leap or a misstep that derails momentum. Ennis, meanwhile, has been silent on the matter, focused on defending his titles and maintaining his status as the division’s most feared finisher.
His recent performances—including a 2023 knockout of Serhiy Derevyanchenko in the sixth round—have cemented his reputation as a fighter who punches through any welterweight challenge. Ennis’s team has repeatedly emphasized his ability to adapt to bigger opponents, but Garcia’s prediction forces a public reckoning: can a welterweight-sized Haney, with his 74-inch reach, neutralize Ennis’s power? The timing of Garcia’s prediction isn’t accidental.
It arrives months after Garcia and Haney’s controversial April 2024 split-draw in Dallas, a fight that left legions of fans unsatisfied and rematch clauses unfulfilled. Garcia’s latest comments revive speculation that a Garcia-Haney rematch could still happen, particularly if Haney’s welterweight run proves successful. The split draw exposed flaws in both fighters’ in-fight adjustments, leaving the debate over who truly won unresolved.
Garcia’s prediction now reframes the narrative, positioning Haney as the clear beneficiary of a welterweight move. Haney’s camp has not responded to Garcia’s prediction, but the welterweight move itself has drawn scrutiny. Haney, a former lightweight champion, has struggled to make weight consistently at 147 pounds, raising questions about his long-term viability in the division.
6 pounds. Garcia, who has been vocal about his own weight-cutting struggles, framed the debate as a matter of skill over size, arguing that Haney’s footwork and jab would outclass Ennis despite the weight disparity. The welterweight division has long been a proving ground for fighters seeking to elevate their status, but Haney’s move carries unique risks.
, and a misstep could derail his momentum. Ennis, meanwhile, has never faced a fighter with Haney’s technical resume at 147 pounds, making this a potential career-defining test. The fight’s outcome would not only settle a divisional debate but also determine whether Haney can transcend the lightweight label—or if Ennis’s power is simply too much for any welterweight to handle.
Garcia’s prediction forces a reckoning: can Haney, a lightweight-turned-welterweight, prove himself against elite punchers like Ennis? It also keeps the Garcia-Haney rematch narrative alive, a fight that could finally settle the score from their unsatisfying draw. For Ennis, the debate is existential—his dominance at 154 pounds is unquestioned, but a welterweight move could redefine his legacy.
The stakes are clear: bragging rights, divisional bragging rights, and the shadow of a rematch that refuses to die. Read at BoxingNews24
Why this matters
Garcia’s prediction forces a reckoning: can Haney, a lightweight-turned-welterweight, prove himself against elite punchers like Ennis? It also keeps the Garcia-Haney rematch narrative alive, a fight that could finally settle the score from their unsatisfying draw. For Ennis, the debate is existential—his dominance at 154 pounds is unquestioned, but a welterweight move could redefine his legacy. The stakes are clear: bragging rights, divisional bragging rights, and the shadow of a rematch that refuses to die. The welterweight division’s depth and Haney’s weight-cut history add layers to the debate, making this more than a hypothetical—it’s a potential inflection point for multiple careers.
Frequently asked
Why does Ryan Garcia believe Devin Haney would beat Jaron 'Boots' Ennis?
Garcia cited Haney’s recent move up to welterweight and his adaptability as a former lightweight champion. He framed the debate as a matter of skill over size, despite Haney’s struggles to make weight consistently at 147 pounds.
What was the outcome of the Garcia vs. Haney fight in 2024?
The April 2024 fight in Dallas ended in a controversial split draw, leaving many fans unsatisfied and rematch clauses unfulfilled. The result fueled rematch chatter and lingering debate over who won.
How has Jaron 'Boots' Ennis performed at junior middleweight?
Ennis has dominated the division, including a 2023 knockout of Serhiy Derevyanchenko in the sixth round. His reputation as one of boxing’s most dangerous punchers at 154 pounds remains intact, making Garcia’s prediction a direct challenge to his legacy.
What are the implications of Haney moving up to welterweight?
Haney’s move to 147 pounds has drawn scrutiny due to his struggles with weight cuts. A successful run could redefine his career, while a stumble could raise questions about his long-term viability in the division.
How did Haney perform in his last welterweight bout?
Haney’s last welterweight fight was a 2022 decision over George Kambosos Jr., where he missed weight by 2.6 pounds. The performance raised questions about his ability to consistently compete at 147 pounds.
What is Ennis’s record against bigger opponents?
Ennis has never faced a fighter with Haney’s technical resume at 147 pounds. His power has flattened multiple challengers at 154, but a welterweight move would test his adaptability against a more mobile, jab-heavy opponent.
