Devin Haney believes that Ryan Garcia’s odd social media behavior – often labeled trolling – has caused discomfort at the box office, but with Garcia being in New York – Haney has seen a change in sales.

The two will fight for the WBC super lightweight world title on Saturday, April 20, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, as the headline bout of a DAZN pay-per-view card. 

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) in a recent interview on the Way Up With Angela Yee explained that he believes that Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) and his behavior led to surprising results in ticket sales. The bout pits Haney, one of the most accomplished young fighters, against Ryan Garcia, who is one of the most popular young fighters on social media – both are 25 years old. Garcia has overshadowed Haney’s career achievements with bizarre antics on the internet.

“Ticket [sales] weren’t doing as well, because a lot of people didn’t know if Ryan was going to show up,” Haney told the podcast. “People didn’t know [if the fight] was really going to happen.”

Last week, during Garcia’s media workout from Dallas, Texas, Garcia pointed the finger at Haney for the slow ticket sales. From social media antics of Garcia to the shove at the Empire State Building (Haney pushed Garcia during a photo-op), gossip has fueled the fight. 

Haney believes Garcia being in New York has confirmed to fans that the fight will actually take place and that ticket sales are now meeting the early expectations. 

“Now tickets are picking up and doing really well, because he is here [in New York] now,” stated Haney. 

“Even after [his antics] were starting to affect the fight – he kept doing it,” Haney added. “That is not for me to determine or dig into.”