The American hurt his compatriot in the first minute of the fight, landing a clean left hook, and that signature punch caused Haney trouble throughout the bout, putting the “Dream” down in rounds seven and 11. Between those knockdowns, Garcia dropped Haney, 25, with a right hand in round 10, and those moments were enough to seal the victory.

Garcia was far from flawless, however, suffering a point deduction for punching on the break in round seven, and repeatedly turning his back on Haney as the fight progressed.

Haney, in typical fashion, also controlled stretches of the bout with his jab, but Garcia’s moments of brilliance were enough to see him win 114-110 and 115-109 on two scorecards, while the other read 112-112.

Haney, who has been beaten for the first time: “I’m disappointed with my performance, but I showed that I can fight after a knockdown and getting hurt.

“I fell asleep on the left hook. I was more surprised than hurt the first time […] I would love a rematch. I gave him a shot, it’s only right he gives me a shot back. He didn’t make weight, so I’m still the champion. We can run it back.”

Garcia thanks God for this victory.

“Come on, guys, you really thought I was crazy?! You lost your whole mind!

“My left hook is my left hook. That’s blessed by God.

“You guys overegg everything, you guys hate on me because I’m pretty and s***. That’s f***ed up.

“I put my f***ing reputation on the line.”

Garcia jokes that he needs some alcohol to get his mind going.

“Let’s run it back.”

Ryan Garcia def. Devin Haney via majority decision (112-112, 114-110, 115-109)