Devin Haney, dissatisfied with the overturned no-contest result of his controversial fight against Ryan Garcia due to Garcia’s failed drug tests and erratic behavior, seeks both legal action and a rematch to settle the score.
Devin Haney has his undefeated record back, but he’s still not satisfied with the Ryan Garcia situation.
When Haney and Garcia stepped into the ring this past April, Garcia originally walked out with an exciting majority decision win. However, the bout will forever be shrouded in controversy for both the preceding and proceeding circumstances.
Garcia behaved erratically in the lead-up to the fight. Displaying bizarre behavior on his social media, he later came in 3.2 pounds over the limit for the bout. This disqualified him from winning Haney’s super lightweight title.
He defeated Haney on the cards. But, as part of a penalty handed down by the New York State Athletic Commission for failing two post-fight drug tests, the bout was officially overturned to a no-contest. Garcia also received a one-year suspension from boxing.
Were it up to Haney, Garcia wouldn’t be allowed back at all.
“I don’t think cheating should be in the sport of boxing,” Haney said on The MMA Hour. “If I felt that, shit, I’d be cheating myself.”
“If you get caught cheating, I think you should be banned. For life.” He emphasized how fighters put their lives on the line each time they step into that ring. “We see guys get killed in the ring.”
“He must have felt something because of all his fights; he never tested dirty, right? But against me, he did.” It’s no coincidence to Haney.
“He must obviously have felt threatened by me.” Suddenly acting like we’ve never seen him act before? Covering his ass just in case he lost and playing crazy? That’s what it looked like to Haney.
Since news broke of Garcia’s positive drug tests on May 1st, his team has maintained that he is a victim of a tainted supplement. In a statement, they wrote that samples from two supplements tested by VADA “returned positive for ostarine contamination,” claiming Garcia’s innocence.
Garcia responded to his suspension by hinting at retirement and suggesting a move to compete in UFC. His antics aren’t amusing to Haney at all.
Haney has no interest in burying the hatchet with his rival despite claims that Garcia reached out to him. "He be messaging me on Instagram and shit like that," trying to play it cool," said Haney.
“I don’t know; we all know it’s something odd for him feel like it’s cool for him to message me.” None of that is going on according to Haney.
“For what he did,” continued Haney, “I want him to pay—for everything—in and out of the ring.”
With their April 20 bout now officially a no-contest, Haney saw his record restored to 31-0. Currently on hiatus himself, he’s tweeted about possibly not fighting again until 2026 when a rematch could happen.
First things first: Haney plans to sue Garcia for entering their bout with what he believes was intent to cheat.
“Like I said,” reiterated Haney, “this whole thing has cost me.” He signed up for a fair fight under strict conditions—drug testing included—and feels betrayed by Garcia’s actions.
“When you sign that contract saying you’ll be clean going into the fight…and then you’re not?” That breach of trust is unforgivable in Haney’s eyes. “So like I said—he must pay.”
“He will pay in the ring,” vowed Haney. But also outside it too—because at day’s end? "I’m still a businessman."