Ryan Garcia insists a rematch with Devin Haney will never happen unless Haney’s side admits there was “something going on” surrounding Garcia’s failed drug tests. This firm stance from Garcia introduces a new layer of complexity to one of boxing’s most contentious rivalries.
It casts a long shadow over any immediate plans for the two welterweight champions to face off again, leaving fans in suspense regarding a potential Ryan Garcia Devin Haney rematch.
Garcia demands admission about drug tests
Garcia has explicitly stated he won’t fight Haney again until his condition is met. He told Ring Magazine that Haney will “have to eat at himself for a while” until “they f*** with my s*** or something that was going on” is admitted.
Ryan Garcia has made it unequivocally clear he believes the past drug test controversy was more intricate than publicly portrayed. He insists a second fight with Devin Haney is entirely off the table until Haney or his team concede there were hidden circumstances surrounding the adverse findings.
Garcia feels Haney must acknowledge some form of manipulation or foul play for a rematch to even be considered. He added, “Whenever you talk s* all I got to do is post the picture of me over you. You got to sit with that.”
Questions surrounding the positive Ostarine test
Garcia continues to highlight what he views as suspicious elements surrounding his positive drug test for Ostarine. He specifically questioned why Haney’s younger brother reportedly predicted Garcia would test positive before the results were public.
Garcia also noted his clean tests throughout the promotional period leading up to the fight. He maintains the adverse finding, which surfaced weeks after their initial clash, remains unexplained. That sequence of events underpins his refusal to engage in another bout with Haney.
A rivalry steeped in fight night controversy
The first encounter between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, was already fraught with drama. Garcia delivered a shocking performance, dropping Haney multiple times on his way to an initial majority decision victory.
The scorecards read 115–109, 112–112, and 114–110 in Garcia’s favor. But the triumph was short-lived and eventually erased from the record books. The victory was overturned to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine.
Overturned result reshapes careers
The fallout from the failed drug test was severe for Garcia. The New York State Athletic Commission suspended him for one year and fined him $10,000. He was also ordered to forfeit over $1 million of his contract purse to Golden Boy Promotions.
Conversely, the decision restored Devin Haney’s perfect professional record. He also retained his WBC Super Lightweight title, as Garcia had missed weight for their first fight. This outcome significantly altered both fighters’ career trajectories and fueled the rivalry even further.
Conflicting schedules and championship status
Any immediate Ryan Garcia Devin Haney rematch faces practical hurdles beyond Garcia’s demands. Garcia is currently slated to return to the ring on September 12, 2026, against Conor Benn. This fight conflicts with an earlier targeted date of September 5, 2026, for a potential Haney rematch.
Both fighters currently hold significant titles in the welterweight division. Ryan Garcia became the WBC Welterweight Champion on February 21, 2026, after defeating Mario Barrios. Meanwhile, Devin Haney secured the WBO Welterweight Champion on November 22, 2025, by overcoming Brian Norman Jr.
Garcia looks beyond the Haney dispute
Despite his firm stance on Haney, Garcia is mapping out his future opponents. He stated his intention to face the winner of the upcoming bout between Teofimo Lopez and Rolando “Rolly” Romero. This move signals Garcia is prepared to pursue other high-profile fights if the Haney situation remains unresolved.
Garcia’s upcoming fight against Conor Benn is a crucial step in his career. It allows him to move forward and defend his newly acquired WBC welterweight title. This focus suggests Garcia isn’t simply using his Haney comments to drum up interest in a rematch.
Impact on the welterweight division
The unresolved tension between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney leaves a significant void in the welterweight division. A potential rematch between two of boxing’s biggest stars would undoubtedly generate immense interest and clarify the pecking order at 147 pounds. With Garcia’s conditional refusal, fans may have to wait indefinitely.
Haney, despite Garcia’s claims, has moved on and secured the WBO Welterweight Championship. His camp has not publicly addressed Garcia’s specific demands regarding the drug test admission. This silence from Haney’s side only reinforces Garcia’s position, further cementing the stalemate.
The welterweight division remains vibrant, even without an immediate Garcia-Haney showdown. Other contenders are eager to make their mark. Shakur Stevenson has, for instance, renewed Stevenson’s catchweight challenge at 144 pounds to Devin Haney. Such calls highlight the many intriguing matchups still available for both champions.
This prolonged disagreement also impacts the broader boxing landscape. It underscores the lasting consequences of drug test controversies. The shadow of Garcia’s positive test continues to dictate potential mega-fights years later. The sport must grapple with these ethical questions.
The enduring rivalry and future prospects
Garcia’s refusal to budge on his condition ensures the heated rivalry with Haney will persist, albeit without an immediate resolution in the ring. The “iconic picture” of Garcia standing over a floored Haney, as Garcia puts it, will remain a potent symbol of their contentious history.
For Haney, being unable to definitively settle the score against Garcia will be a constant source of frustration. The WBO has been involved in confirming fight details for Haney, notably concerning Keyshawn Davis, whose title opportunity ended due to a $5 million demand. The WBO title bid for that fight had garnered significant attention.
This situation adds a layer of psychological warfare to their already intense professional relationship. Garcia seems content to let the image of his past victory stand as a permanent challenge to Haney. This strategy keeps him in Haney’s mind, even without a fight being signed.
The boxing world will closely watch how Haney’s camp responds, or if they continue to ignore Garcia’s demands. Until then, a second chapter in the Ryan Garcia Devin Haney rematch saga appears firmly on hold. The ball is now squarely in Haney’s court, as Garcia awaits a specific admission.
Terence Crawford’s warning to Haney regarding Keyshawn Davis also points to the complexities surrounding Haney’s potential opponents.
The welterweight division needs its biggest names to compete against each other. This kind of personal and public dispute, while dramatic, ultimately delays significant matchups. It’s a loss for boxing enthusiasts eager to see these top-tier athletes test their skills in definitive contests.
