In 2024, a fierce rivalry was born between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.
Garcia acted uncharacteristically during the build-up to his title shot against then WBC super-lightweight champion Haney, famously drinking a ‘beer’ on the scales at the weigh-in whilst coming in 3.2lbs over the 140lb limit.
As a result, no belt was on the line for ‘King Ryan’, but the fight went ahead and he delivered a career-best win, dropping Haney on three occasions on route to a sensational majority-decision victory on the scorecards.
However, in the aftermath, Garcia tested positive for a performance enhancing drug, Ostarine, and the outcome was changed to a no-contest, while Garcia was handed a one-year ban from the sport.
After serving his time, Garcia returned in a ‘regular’ world title shot against Rolando Romero last May, but came up short, only to be offered a third straight challenge for world honours against Mario Barrios, which takes place next weekend.
On X, Haney was asked whether victory over Barrios could tee up a grudge match rematch between him and Garcia, particularly given that he now holds the WBO belt in the same division.
Haney explained that he is no longer interested in a second fight after hearing that his rival has opted out of VADA (365) drug testing.
“Ship sailed when he dropped outta VADA testing.”
Barrios-Garcia headlines a DAZN PPV card on Saturday, February 21, with two additional world title contests on offer on the undercard. It has been confirmed by the WBC that the main event fighters are being tested by VADA, so Haney’s accusation appears to be in reference to the year-round programme.
