Devin Haney, the current WBC light welterweight champion, will need to adopt a more captivating fighting style if he wants to enhance his reputation in the upcoming headliner against Ryan Garcia on April 20th, which will be broadcasted on DAZN.
This fight against Ryan is the perfect opportunity for Haney to abandon his previous safety-first approach and truly showcase his skills. Haney’s last bout against Regis Prograis resulted in a disappointing 50K PPV buys on DAZN, largely due to his unexciting performance. If he continues to fight in this manner against Ryan, it is likely that his numbers will further decline, potentially reaching a mere 30K buys for future fights.
When the PPV buy rates plummet to such low numbers, Haney’s promoters may reconsider placing him behind a paywall. They would recognize that this strategy fails to generate revenue and limits his exposure to boxing enthusiasts who have yet to witness his talent.
Haney’s technical, defense-oriented style, which seems to have been influenced by Shakur Stevenson, is detrimental to his ticket sales and the interest of PPV buyers. It is imperative that he alters his approach to appeal to a wider audience and entice viewers to purchase his fights.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter, expressed his optimism about the upcoming fight between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia on April 20th. Hearn believes that this bout is ideal for both Haney and DAZN. He acknowledges the significance of this fight for Ryan Garcia as well.
Hearn praises Haney’s accomplishments and his rising status as the “Face of Boxing.” He anticipates a substantial buildup to the fight, expecting it to garner significant attention and become one of the standout matches of the year. Hearn’s confidence in Haney’s marketability is evident, emphasizing the potential of this fight to solidify his position as the face of the sport.
Following the clash with Ryan Garcia, Haney will enter free agency once again. Hearn acknowledges this fact, indicating that Haney’s future beyond the April 20th fight remains uncertain.
According to the Source boxingnews24.com