DEVIN Haney is set to jump up to welterweight for his hotly anticipated rematch with Ryan Garcia later this year.
The pair’s first encounter took place in April, when Garcia, 24-1 (20 KOs), edged a majority decision after flooring his former amateur rival three times.
His victory, however, was then overturned to a no-contest once it emerged that the social media star had tested positive for ostarine, a performance-enhancing substance.
The adverse finding, conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA), meant that Garcia was subsequently handed a year-long ban by the New York State Athletic Commission.
But now, with the 26-year-old expected to return to the ring after April 20, it would appear that his rematch with Haney, 31-0 (15 KOs), is close to being finalised.
Boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh took to social media yesterday, teasing an imminent announcement by posting a photo of Garcia signing a contract.
Before that, ESPN boxing journalist Mike Coppinger added on X that both teams have asked for Haney’s ongoing lawsuit against Garcia – alleging battery, fraud and unjust enrichment – to be paused for 90 days.
And so, the pair are seemingly prepared to put their legal battle to one side as Alalshikh looks to deliver a lucrative sequel.
But instead of meeting at super lightweight for the second time, Haney’s recent social media activity suggests that his clash with Garcia will be at 147 lbs.
Yesterday, ‘The Dream’ wrote on X: “Bye 140 [lbs].”
Haney, though, is still the WBC super lightweight ‘champion in recess’ following his showdown with Garcia, while Alberto Puello remains the sanctioning body’s full champion.
