As the tension brewed in the air at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Rodney Crisler, Devin Haney’s cornerman, couldn’t shake off a lingering feeling of apprehension
Amidst the bustling chaos, he noticed something unusual about Ryan Garcia’s demeanor. There was a quiet confidence, an air of serenity that seemed to cloak ‘KingRy’ as he prepared to face Haney, the reigning champion. Despite the prevailing sentiment among fans that Haney would emerge victorious, Crisler couldn’t shake off the sense of foreboding that gripped him.
In the moments leading up to Garcia’s sensational victory over Haney, Crisler couldn’t ignore the peculiar detail that caught his attention. Speaking candidly to FightHype, Crisler shed light on the unexpected revelation that unfolded in Garcia’s locker room – the presence of a live orchestra of violinists serenading ‘KingRy’ with symphonic melodies. This unexpected display of theatricality struck Crisler with awe and trepidation.
The Dream’. “I went to his room, Ryan was relaxed,” realized Crisler.
“He had four-band violinists right there. And he’s calm and just cool. When I saw that, I was like sh*t. And I told the team, ‘Hey man, this guy is listening to violin music, getting his aura right, all that right. That means a lot, you know,’” he added.
“church props and all that other stuff,” Crisler believed Ryan “had his Zen right, going into this fight.”
“It was surreal,” Crisler recounted, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and admiration. “There he was, Ryan, calm and composed, surrounded by four violinists, their music filling the air with an aura of tranquility.” Crisler’s revelation underscored the depth of Garcia’s preparation and his unwavering focus as he geared up to face Haney in the ring.
Amidst the cacophony of anticipation, Crisler couldn’t help but marvel at Garcia’s unconventional approach to mental preparation. “When I saw that, I was like s**t,” Crisler admitted, his words echoing the profound impact of Garcia’s pre-fight ritual. “It spoke volumes about his mindset, his determination to conquer ‘The Dream’.”
Despite Haney’s valiant efforts in the ring, Garcia’s strategic advantage became apparent as the fight progressed. Crisler couldn’t help but acknowledge the role Garcia’s meticulous preparation played in his victory. However, Crisler also alluded to the controversy surrounding Garcia’s weight during the bout, hinting at a deliberate strategy to gain an edge over his opponent.
Reflecting on Haney’s defeat, Crisler remained steadfast in his belief in Haney’s resilience and strength as a fighter. “We made some mistakes with the team,” Crisler conceded, his voice laced with optimism. “But we can bounce back from this. Devin’s one of the truest fighters out there.”
In the aftermath of Garcia’s triumph, Crisler’s self-realization moment served as a testament to the transformative power of mental preparation in the arena of combat sports. As Haney’s cornerman grappled with the aftermath of defeat, his encounter with Garcia’s pre-fight ritual left an indelible mark, reminding him of the importance of mindfulness and strategic preparation in the pursuit of victory.
“He did not want to lose them three pounds, he knew the limit. If he lost two pounds, he would have to lose. So, they planned that perfect I think. I don’t want to say no names, but, they planned that perfect,” said Crisler.
“We made some mistakes with the team, but, we can bounce back from this. Like I say, Devin’s strong. I mean one of truest fighters out there. I don’t hold this against him. Sometimes we got to sit back and see what’s going on around us instead of assuming things,” he added with hope.
