(Interview by Declan Warrington)
BN: Before your win in December against Regis Prograis, people kept saying you didn't deserve the decision over Vasyl Lomachenko. Going into Saturday's game, people were talking about how well you performed against Prograis. How did that change affect your preparation for this fight?
DH: It hasn't changed [my attitude] at the end of the day. I am a true professional. So it doesn't matter what they say about the final performance. It's time for me to step up and join this fight and that is my main focus. The past is behind me – what I did in the past – now it's time for me to prove myself again and that's what I'm going to do.
BN: Are you worried that the erratic Ryan Garcia won't be able to get in the ring on Saturday?
DH: No. Eventually I knew Ryan would show up. This is a big fight – it's also a big opportunity for him. I couldn't put too much energy into focusing on Ryan and whether he would show up or not. I can just focus on being myself, preparing and being the best I can be – regardless of whether that's Ryan or not.
BN: Does his profile and behavior allow you to enjoy the build-up to your fight, to the extent that it takes the pressure off of you to promote the event?
A: Yes. I was locked in a dungeon. I have prepared and honed my tools and am ready for battle. He has a lot going on, and it will show – and it will prove [how focused and committed or otherwise he’s been] – and it will appear on fight night.
BN: To what extent do you agree with those who describe Garcia's behavior as an “act”?
DH: Again, that's not my focus. My focus is on being the best person I can be – focusing on myself, getting out there and taking a masterclass again.
We have to see. He is C level [fighter] – he is an average warrior with a name. I am a high level warrior. I'm on a higher level than this guy. I am a real person. This guy is a normal, famous warrior – and that's what I'm going to show. I will show that he is not at the top level.
BN: You went 3-3 as an amateur. How much do you think he has improved since then and how important was it for you to resolve your feud?
DH: I got to share the ring with him to see, but he's not at the elite level like me.
It is very important. It's time for me to put this to bed. Once and for all, the Devin-Ryan story will end. The better person will win on April 20, and it will be me. Inshallah.
BN: It's a little secret that Arnold Barboza Jnr is ready to replace him. Did that possibility affect your preparation?
DH: No. My main focus is fighting Ryan Garcia and being the best I can be. Arnold Barboza is in the lower tier [versus Sean McComb] and he's under the tag for a reason. Everyone is coming to see me and Ryan Garcia.
BN: Last year, after back-to-back fights in Australia in 2022, you scored your biggest win against Lomachenko in Las Vegas and drew a big crowd in San Francisco against Prograis. How important was it for you to make an impression on the East Coast this weekend?
DH: Oh, it's a dream come true. Inshallah. I thank Allah for that. I dreamed of standing on these stages and now I'm here. What better way than New York City – the megaphone of the world? Where everyone – everyone – can watch here and see the greatness that I have?
I love fight week. That's the fun part. It's my time to shine and show the world everything I can do. But that's also part of – like I said, I've dreamed about these moments and trained for these moments, so I'm very grateful to finally be here. I saw a lot of fighters show up as a kid, during fight week and doing interviews, and I wanted to be here one day. And now my time has come, and I want to take it all. I love the process; building.
I really don't believe in pressure. I put my faith and trust in Allah and I let Him take control.
BN: In the process of preparing to fight Prograis at super lightweight, you talked about moving to welterweight. Then you produced a career-best performance. Did that performance change your plans?
DH: I want to be the best of all time in this sport. I see myself moving up the weight classes; proved itself; do what the greats did. [Earning parity with] the greats – defeat them one by one. It all started with defeating Ryan Garcia. That's my main focus. On April 20 there will be fireworks – the world will witness.
BN: Do you agree with those who say Garcia will fight recklessly as if he has prepared for this fight?
A: Yes. I think he's going to be reckless and I think something's going to happen to him. I will use his aggression against him – I will hurt him. It will hurt him.
One hundred percent [it’s going to be painful for him]. But I didn't go there to run around. I won't be hard to find.
