Devin Haney doesn't want to hear any notion of it being too early for a possible showdown between Ryan Garcia and himself.
Ask "The Dream" and the timing couldn't be better. During an Instagram Live chat with Matchroom Boxing USA president Eddie Hearn earlier in the week, Haney explained why there should be urgency to make big fights — like a Haney vs. Garcia — in the lightweight division, especially when it comes to himself, IBF lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez and Garcia, who are all 22 or under in age.
"I think that it's just so many big fights out there that could be made — the (Vasiliy) Lomachenko-Teofimo, the Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia, the Luke Campbell-Javier Fortuna," Haney began rattling off. "There's so many big fights out there that we need to start making these big fights happen now because eventually guys like me, Teofimo, Ryan Garcia ... we're eventually gonna move up, so I think the perfect time is now."
Of course, the coronavirus pandemic has brought boxing — and to a large degree, the world — to a standstill. However, prior to its outbreak, the Lomachenko vs. Lopez lightweight title unification bout was reportedly close to getting an official date. The spread of COVID-19 also derailed plans of a Campbell vs. Fortuna fight, but hasn't stopped "Tank" Davis and Garcia from continuing to trade insults on social media.
Last month, following Garcia's first-round destruction of Francisco Fonseca, Haney confronted "KingRy" in the ring and told DAZN's Chris Mannix: "If he wants a real fight, come fight me."
Garcia responded: "Hey, we're good fighters, let's f—ing fight!"
Garcia and Haney, each 21 years old, have fought in the amateur ranks, with both boxing stars touting undefeated pro ledgers.
Haney started the IG Live chat with Hearn, telling his promoter that the shoulder he had surgery on in December feels "even better" than before. And by the looks of his own IG account, Haney seems ready.
Once the coronavirus subsides, will we see Haney vs. Garcia possibly later this year?