Ryan Garcia has insisted his 'crazy' behaviour before beating Devin Haney was planned out in advance.
'King Ry' had faced huge concern from the boxing world for his actions prior to the fight, including suggesting he was 'high' during an interview, while posting a series of bizarre claims on social media.
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But he delivered a monumental upset on fight night, dropping WBC super-lightweight champion Haney three times en route to an incredible points victory.
And after proving people wrong inside the ring, Garcia has now suggested his antics were nothing more than a ploy to sell the show.
He said on the PBD podcast: "We had it pre-recorded months ago. I said, 'I'm about to make sure everybody thinks I'm going crazy. I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that.'
"I have it all documented. I was already planning weeks and weeks and weeks behind.
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"I don't know what made me come up with the idea.
"One day, I just decided to go all in and just commit to a plan that I had, and I was not going to budge for nobody.
"It don't matter if I went on his podcast or anybody's podcast; I was acting sporadic, just like crazy."
Garcia's antics had began even concerning members of his family according to his ex-wife, who shared a message on social media weeks before the fight.
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The WBC held talks with the New York Athletic Commission over Garcia's participation in the fight, but he was cleared to participate.
His antics during the week of the clash continued to concern observers, including confronting a heckler in the crowd at a press conference, before downing a beer at the weigh-in.
Ryan Garcia breaks down in tears in emotional speech on his TikTok live
The successful challenger missed weight, which means he didn't become the WBC super-lightweight champion, though his stock has now risen drastically nonetheless.
Garcia then lashed out at his critics in his immediate post-fight speech, questioning exactly why fans believed that he was 'crazy'.
Irrespective of his options, a rematch with Haney now appears to be possible later in 2024, with his rival insisting he will be fit to return at the back end of the year.
But Garcia has even called for a second shot at Gervonta Davis, providing the pair agree to a 144lbs catchweight.
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