Ryan Garcia made a bold move by wagering $2 million on his own victory over the undefeated WBC light welterweight champion, Devin Haney. The bet paid off handsomely as Garcia walked away with $12 million, following his win in the match which took place at the DAZN PPV event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
A hefty $50 million payday for Garcia
Reports suggest that Garcia, with a record of 25 wins and 1 loss, earning 20 knockouts, may have earned around $50 million from the fight, if not more. This significant earnings could potentially offset the $1.5 million loss he incurred after betting against Haney during the weigh-in.
During the weigh-in, Garcia had wagered $500,000 for every pound he came under the 140-pound weight limit. However, he ended up weighing in at 143.2 pounds, 3.2 pounds over the stipulated limit, resulting in him paying out $1.5 million to Haney. Despite this setback, Garcia’s decision not to drain himself to meet the 140-pound limit might have played a role in his victory.
While there is no concrete evidence of Garcia placing a $2 million bet on himself, fans have to take his claim at face value. Garcia, known for his unconventional behavior such as drinking water from a beer bottle at a previous weigh-in, continues to surprise both fans and opponents alike.
Garcia’s perspective on risk-taking
“If you’re going to bet, bet on yourself. You’ll enjoy the rewards in addition to what you earn,” said Ryan Garcia in a recent Instagram post discussing his bet on defeating Devin Haney. “Approximately $50 million (perhaps more) in one night. Stay humble.”
“I will let divine guidance direct me on how to utilize this income. Reports indicate Ryan Garcia bet $2 million on himself to defeat Devin Haney and received $12 million in return. Impressive.”
The legality of a fighter betting on themselves to win a match, particularly outside of Nevada, has garnered attention and discussion among boxing enthusiasts on social media. Garcia’s penchant for placing significant bets on various aspects of his fights raises concerns about potential gambling issues. Continued large-scale betting could pose a risk to his financial stability and hint at a more profound problem with gambling.
