Roy Jones Jr has weighed in on the impending rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.
‘King Ryan’ put on a career best performance to defeat Haney when they clashed last April, dropping the two-weight world champion from San Francisco three times before being declared the winner via majority decision.
The victory lap was short-lived after it was revealed that Garcia had tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine twice during fight week. The fight result was switched to a no contest and the 26-year-old was served with a one year suspension from boxing and a fine of over $1 million.
With the rivals expected to lock horns for the second time later this year, retired four-division world champion Roy Jones has had his say on who he believes will be victorious this time around.
Speaking to AKHi TV, Jones gave his backing to Haney, as he claims Garcia does not have the ability to stop ‘The Dream’ this time around if he was unable to do so whilst using ‘performance enhancing substances’ during their first encounter.
“Well, if you [were on] steroids and you didn’t knock him out, then you know you’re not gonna knock him out so you gotta lean more towards [Devin] Haney right now.
“If you ain’t knock him out when you’re illegal, how you gonna beat him when you’re not illegal? It’s kind of hard to say but it makes the argument, because I’m sure if you give a guy steroids… they call performance enhancing drugs for a reason to enhance your performance. Without the enhancement, could you really beat him? We don’t know.”
Before a rematch between Garcia and Haney can come to fruition, they must both come through their fights which take place on the same card on May 2 at Times Square in New York City.
Garcia is set to face Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in a welterweight showdown, whilst Haney faces former unified super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez at a catchweight of 144 pounds.
