RYAN Garcia and Devin Haney are engrossed in one of the fiercest rivalries in boxing, and it seems as though a rematch between the American duo is now just around the corner, with each man seeking to settle the score following their controversial first encounter.
However, with neither having fought since last April, it has now been announced that both Garcia, 24-1 (20 KOs), and Haney, 31-0 (15 KOs), will attempt to shake off any ring rust on the same bill, with opponents now confirmed for The Ring Magazine’s first card of 2025.
After a host of eyebrow-raising pre-fight antics made headlines and drew concern for Garcia when he faced Haney last year, the Californian hit the scales over 3 lbs above the super-lightweight limit, forgoing the opportunity to claim the belt of the then-WBC champion in the opposing corner.
Yet, despite apparent ill-preparation, ‘King Ry’ was able to shock the world with a dominant display, dropping Haney for the first, second and third time of his career en route to a majority decision upset victory.
However, the drama was not done there, as it was later revealed that Garcia had tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance, on both the day of the weigh-in and the day of the fight.
Consequently, Garcia’s career-best win was eventually overturned to a no-contest and he was slapped with a year-long ban by the New York State Athletic Commission, whilst Haney’s undefeated record was reinstated. Although, ‘The Dream’ would go on to become the WBC ‘champion in recess’ and later file a lawsuit against Garcia, alleging battery, fraud and unjust enrichment.
With Garcia’s ban set to end on April 20, Turki Al-Alshikh, who purchased The Ring Magazine towards the end of last year, has declared his intentions of staging a rematch between the pair in October.
But last night, the Saudi boxing chief revealed that both Garcia and Haney will first appear at a Ring Magazine event in May, squaring off with Rolando Romero, 16-2 (13 KO’s), and Jose Carlos Ramirez, 29-2 (18 KO’s), respectively.
Despite all four men usually campaigning as super lightweights, both contests will take place at 147 lbs in preparation for Haney-Garcia 2, which is widely expected to be a welterweight bout.
Also appearing on the card is the IBF final eliminator between Martin Bakole, 21-1 (16 KOs), and Efe Ajagba, 20-1 (14 KOs). The winner will be poised to challenge for Daniel Dubois’ full IBF heavyweight world title.
