The ambitious plans that lead to the Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney rematch have been revealed.
Garcia and Haney look set to do battle later this year, following their first meeting in April 2024 that was surrounded in controversy for a number of reasons.
Some erratic behaviour from ‘King Ry’ in the build up led to concerns over whether he should be competing, and he then missed weight by nearly four pounds, meaning he was ineligible to challenge for Haney’s WBC super-lightweight title.
The bout went ahead as a non-title fight, with Garcia shocking the world with his performance, dropping Haney multiple times on his way to a points victory.
The controversy didn’t end there though, as Garcia tested positive for a banned substance, with the result being changed to a no contest and ‘King Ry’ receiving a one-year ban as a result.
Garcia is able to return to action when his ban ends in April, and is pencilled in for a fresh meeting with Haney in Saudi Arabia in October, but both men are set to face different opponents first in the interim.
The identities of those opponents has now been revealed by ESPN journalist Salvador Rodriguez, with potential tough tests ahead for both men.
“Sources have revealed plans for a May function at TIMES SQUARE and outdoors, including Ryan Garcia-Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, Devin Haney-Jose Ramirez.”
Cruz is the former WBA super-lightweight champion, having stopped Rolly Romero to win the belt back in March 2024, before losing it to José Valenzuela by split decision last August.
Cruz is scheduled to meet Angel Fierro in February, where a win would seemingly set ‘The Pitbull’ up for the clash against Garcia in May.
Ramirez is the former unified super-lightweight champion, who came up short in his undisputed title fight with Josh Taylor back in May 2021. He recovered from that loss with three straight wins, but was then defeated by Arnold Barboza Jr in November.
With the plans laid out, both Garcia and Haney will be hoping they come through unscathed to set up their rematch later in the year, and top trainer Robert Garcia has revealed his prediction for how their second meeting will go.
