Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney may be sharing the ring again later this year after their controversial first bout eight months ago.
The April 2024 fight – set to be for Haney’s WBC Super-Lightweight World Title before Garcia missed weight and was therefore ineligible to win it – was marred by controversy.
Garcia has been erratic in the build-up and had fans worried for his mental state before producing a dominant display in which he dropped the champion three times on his way to a majority decision. The result was later over-turned to a no contest when it was discovered Garcia had twice tested positive for a banned substance. He is currently at the end of a year-long suspension.
Pre-fight, the 26-year-old had said he had zero concern about Haney’s power.
“Haney is the least of my worries. If I wasn’t scared to fight Tank, why would I be worried about a guy who can’t crack an egg?”
However, he was more respectful in the post-fight press conference, saying his opponent – who has 15 stoppages from 31 wins – did manage to hurt him.
“Most definitely [he felt my power]. He got wobbled bad. I’m surprised he has such good heart, like bro I cracked him in the first round. I thought it was over, I won, easy work. And then he came out firing in the second. He even hurt me with a hook. I was like, ‘damn, maybe you do got a little power.'”
With Garcia’s suspension set to come to an end in April, the two have reportedly agreed an October rematch but first must come through interim bouts. For Garcia that is Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero. Haney will face Jose Ramirez on the same card on May 2.
