Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney are set to run it back following their controversial bout in April of 2023.
Haney was to put his WBC Super-Lightweight World Title on the line against former amateur rival Garcia, but the challenger missed weight by three pounds and was ineligible to fight for the belt.
A deal was struck and the fight went ahead without the treasure. Though Garcia’s erratic behaviour during fight week had worried analysts, he flipped the script and, as a considerable underdog, knocked Haney down three times on his way to a decision win.
That was later overturned to a no contest due to him failing two doping tests for banned substance Ostarine.He can return to the ring after suspension this coming April, and is reportedly setting up a fight with Isaac Cruz before entering the rematch with Haney, assuming he also wins his interim fight against Jose Ramirez on the same card.
Three weight world champion and potential future opponent for both men, Shakur Stevenson, spoke on the return fight in an interview with the Porter Way podcast. He was asked if Haney would be permanently damaged from the loss.
“I think it could have, but I think Devin’s tough. I know Devin personally. As far as being a boxer, he’s a tough boxer. His mental, I don’t think he’s got no quit in him. I think that he’s gonna show up his next time out there. The only thing is, he took a lot of punishment, so it will be interesting to see how he react to getting punched again.”
On whether the rematch is coming too soon for Haney, Stevenson said he understood why it has to happen now.
“Nah, I don’t think he’s taking the rematch too quickly. Just because of the fact that – Ryan is a good fighter, a helluva fighter – but if you embarrass me like that, my pride is gonna kick in as a fighter. Line it up again. That’s how I feel like with that situation. What would waiting years do? I want to beat you while you’re feeling good and you just did that.
Stevenson returns to action to defend his belt against Floyd Schofield on February 22. He was recently asked if he was still interested in facing Haney but admitted that if he moves to welterweight then the fight likely won’t happen.
