Shane Mosley messaged Ryan Garcia advice just one month before his win over Devin Haney.
Garcia was a significant underdog for his clash against WBC super-lightweight champion Haney, but won in incredible fashion, dropping his rival three times en route to an upset win.
‘King Ry’ had come into widespread criticism for his actions before the clash, including the suggestion by fans that his ‘footwork’ was poor in training footage.
Mosley, who reigned as a three-weight world champion in his career, equally picked up on Garcia’s footwork and sent him constructive feedback in an Instagram private message.
It read: “I’m going to tell you before it’s too late. This fight is going to come down to how good your footwork is.
“That doesn’t mean moving away from him. It means being explosive front and back, side to side to land your power punches.
“That doesn’t mean doing what he wants you to and following him round the ring while he pot shots you to death.
“Be in the middle of the ring and let him try to pursue you, you are quicker than him, but his feet might be a little quicker.
“Work on that fast twitch muscle you will be happy.”
Garcia acknowledged the advice and replied: “Thank you Shane!”
Mosley is in a great position to offer words of wisdom, given he reached the top of the pound-for-pound rankings list in 2000 and 2001.
It was advice which may have indirectly paid off as Garcia made drastic improvements on the night, under the stewardship of coach Derrick James.
Garcia made a frighteningly quick start and dominated when the pair exchanged, showing his frightening power particularly with the force of his left hook.
The 25-year-old has lots of talent and is now once again hot property in the sport, after recovering well from his April 2023 to Gervonta Davis.
He now has multiple options on the table for his next outing, with Haney suggesting he would like a rematch at a new agreed weight before the end of 2024.
But his conqueror Davis could be a more prominent target, given Garcia is eyeing revenge for his only career defeat.
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News Summary:
- Ryan Garcia was given secret advice by boxing legend before Devin Haney fight which inspired win
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