Bold claim first: Devin Haney has ruled out a rematch with Ryan Garcia for a single, clear reason, and this decision reshapes their fierce rivalry. If you missed the back-and-forth, here’s what happened, why it matters, and what could come next in their storied feud.
In 2024, the boxing world watched a heated rivalry ignite between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia. Garcia’s behavior during the pre-fight buildup was unusual for a title shot, most notably when he appeared on the scales with a beer in hand, coming in 3.2 pounds over the 140-pound limit. Because of this, no title belt was on the line for “King Ryan,” yet the fight went ahead. Garcia delivered a career-defining performance, dropping Haney three times and earning a dramatic majority-decision victory on the judges’ scorecards.
However, post-fight headlines shifted quickly. Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine, and the result was overturned to a no-contest, with Garcia facing a one-year ban from boxing.
After serving his suspension, Garcia returned to the ring for a regular world title shot against Rolando Romero last May, though he fell short once more. The door then opened to a third consecutive world-title challenge against Mario Barrios, set for next weekend.
On X, a fan-friendly platform where fighters often reveal plans and opinions, Haney addressed a potential rematch scenario with Garcia, especially given that Haney now holds the WBO belt in the same division. He made his stance clear: he’s not pursuing a second fight if Garcia declines VADA drug testing.
“Ship sailed when he dropped outta VADA testing.”
Barrios vs. Garcia headlines a DAZN PPV card on Saturday, February 21, featuring two additional world-title bouts on the undercard. The WBC has confirmed that the main-event fighters are being tested by VADA, which suggests Haney’s accusation about year-round testing may refer to Garcia’s absence from the program.
Thought-provoking points to consider:
- Does a fighter’s commitment to rigorous, ongoing drug testing influence future matchmaking and rivalry dynamics more than past outcomes?
- If a rematch is off the table, should the audience and media lean into the history and move on, or push for closure through another decisive showdown?
- How should commissions and promoters balance public perception with the realities of testing, especially when past suspensions color current negotiations?
What do you think: should Haney and Garcia settle their differences in the ring, or is their controversy valuable enough to keep the storyline alive without a direct rematch? Share your take in the comments.
