A highly anticipated rematch between WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia and WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney faces a significant new hurdle today, July 4, 2026. Bill Haney, father and trainer of Devin Haney, has publicly declared that Garcia must enter a rigorous Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drug testing program for a “significant amount of time” before any fight can be finalized.
This firm demand from Team Haney directly addresses the controversial outcome of their first bout on April 20, 2024. That fight was overturned to a no-contest after Ryan Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine, casting a long shadow over his initial victory.
Haney camp demands strict VADA testing to ensure fairness
Bill Haney isn’t holding back, openly positioning his son, Devin Haney, as the party with leverage in any potential second fight. He placed Ryan Garcia at “number 10” on Devin’s list of prospective opponents, citing concerns over “maturity” and the need for his team to push him.
The core of Bill Haney’s apprehension lies squarely with the drug testing scandal that marred their initial clash. “As good as those highlights look, they look like a big lie to me,” Bill Haney told Inside The Ring, referring to Garcia’s prior performance.
He continued, “What I want to see him going is the drug, the VADA drug program. Give us a significant amount of time for us to have faith that he’s…” Analyst Max Kellerman, co-host of “Inside The Ring,” completed the thought, adding, “That he’s clean. You want to make sure that it’s fair.”
Key details
From Team Haney’s perspective, this request is entirely understandable. The elder Haney, who has guided his son Devin Miles Haney since he was 14 to multiple world championships, aims to ensure a level playing field for the WBO welterweight champion.
Garcia’s distrust and calls for alternative anti-doping agency
However, this condition runs headlong into Ryan Garcia’s well-documented distrust of VADA. Since his one-year suspension and $1.2 million fine from the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), Garcia has repeatedly questioned VADA’s credibility.
He’s publicly stated he no longer trusts the organization following his positive test. Garcia has suggested using a different anti-doping agency instead, and has even hinted at a “fishy” association between the Haneys and VADA. This entrenched disagreement means both sides are starting from vastly different positions, a significant obstacle before serious negotiations can truly begin for what remains one of boxing’s most sought-after rematches.
Garcia’s advisor and attorney, Lupe Valencia, has been central to his defense and subsequent statements. Golden Boy Promotions founder Oscar De La Hoya has also publicly called for the rematch, acknowledging its commercial appeal.
Controversial first fight and subsequent no-contest result
The initial professional boxing match between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia was announced on February 9, 2024. It unfolded on April 20, 2024, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, billed as “This One Counts,” referencing their 3-3 amateur record.
Garcia weighed in at 143.2 pounds, 3.2 pounds over the 140 lb super lightweight limit. This made him ineligible to win Haney’s WBC super lightweight title, though the bout proceeded as a non-title fight, fundamentally changing its stakes.
Drug test failure and significant penalties
On April 20, 2024, Ryan Garcia originally secured a majority decision victory over Devin Haney. He had knocked Haney down three times in rounds 7, 9, and 10, appearing to dominate portions of the fight. The victory was short-lived.
On May 1, 2024, VADA notified all parties that Garcia had tested positive for Ostarine from samples collected on both April 19 and April 20, 2024. His A-sample also reportedly screened positive for 19-norandrosterone, pending confirmation by carbon isotope ratio testing.
The New York State Athletic Commission subsequently changed the fight’s result to a no-contest on June 20, 2024. Garcia received a one-year suspension and was fined $1.2 million by the NYSAC, forfeiting a significant part of his purse. This legal action set a strong precedent against performance-enhancing drug use in the sport.
Garcia’s denial, legal strategies, and dropped lawsuit
Garcia vehemently denied the accusations, citing his willingness to undergo drug testing and claiming innocence. His legal team, including promoter Golden Boy Promotions, pointed to a negative hair sample as proof, arguing the positive samples showed “ultra-low levels” in the “billionth of a gram range.”
Initially, Garcia claimed he didn’t use supplements and suggested a setup by the Haneys and VADA through SNAC founder Victor Conte. His legal team later shifted to claiming supplement contamination as the cause. Devin Haney also filed a lawsuit against Garcia in New York seeking damages for fraud, battery, and breach of contract, though he later dropped it.
Detailed timeline of anti-doping disputes
The current standoff is not an isolated incident. The VADA testing issue has been a persistent point of contention between the two camps since the initial controversy, highlighting a complex history of fluctuating agreements and rejections.
- October 7, 2024: Bill Haney publicly gave Ryan Garcia 48 hours to enroll with VADA for drug testing if he wanted a rematch. This was a clear ultimatum delivered via social media.
- October 10, 2024: Ryan Garcia reportedly rejected Bill Haney’s 48-hour deadline for VADA enrollment, indicating early resistance.
- January 10, 2025: Ryan Garcia stated he would “never use VADA again” due to suspicions of bias, deepening the rift between the camps.
- January 31, 2025: Ryan Garcia reportedly enrolled in VADA anti-doping protocol, a step towards a planned three-fight series including a rematch with Haney in October. This marked a brief period of apparent compliance.
- February 7, 2026: Ryan Garcia denied rumors of not being tested by VADA ahead of his fight with Mario Barrios, stating he had been tested throughout his camp, attempting to counter negative perceptions.
- February 12, 2026: Devin Haney stated the rematch was “off” because Ryan Garcia allegedly dropped out of VADA testing, reigniting the public dispute.
- February 23, 2026: Ryan Garcia “clapped back” at Devin Haney over VADA testing drama, pointing to fresh bloodwork as proof of VADA testing, attempting to prove his adherence.
- March 1, 2026: Ryan Garcia publicly accepted a Devin Haney rematch and agreed to VADA testing, seemingly resolving the issue again.
- March 31, 2026: Devin Haney stated on X, “He won’t sign up,” referring to Ryan Garcia’s enrollment in VADA testing for a proposed September 5 fight, indicating the agreement was short-lived.
- July 4, 2026: Bill Haney reiterated his concern about Garcia’s drug testing history and emphasized the need for Garcia to enter the VADA drug program for a “significant amount of time” to build faith in his cleanliness, bringing the issue back to the forefront.
Commercial appeal versus strict anti-doping conditions
Bill Haney’s public demands clearly suggest Team Haney believes Devin holds the upper hand in these negotiations. He’s essentially dictating terms, placing Garcia lower on Devin’s list until the drug testing issue is resolved to their satisfaction.
However, Ryan Garcia remains one of boxing’s biggest commercial attractions. His large social media following and explosive fighting style guarantee significant pay-per-view numbers, giving him substantial pulling power.
This dynamic makes public ultimatums a tricky negotiation tactic. It’s a battle for perception as much as it is for contractual terms, where contract disputes often stall major boxing bouts and demonstrate the complex negotiations even when contracts for major events remain pending.
The situation highlights a perennial tension in professional sports: the balance between commercial viability and ethical sporting conduct. For the Haneys, maintaining a clean sport appears paramount, even if it means delaying a lucrative fight.
Broader implications for boxing’s anti-doping framework
This ongoing saga casts a spotlight on boxing’s anti-doping landscape and the role of organizations like VADA. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 2011 by neurologist Dr. Margaret Goodman, VADA is dedicated to promoting clean and fair competition in boxing and mixed martial arts.
VADA’s rigorous, unannounced testing protocols are carried out by certified doping collection officers from companies like Clearidium, and its prohibited list closely mirrors that of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The World Boxing Council (WBC), one of boxing’s major sanctioning bodies, even operates a “Clean Boxing Program” in conjunction with VADA, adhering to strict liability principles. This means an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in their sample, regardless of intent.
Ryan Garcia’s public questioning of VADA’s credibility, regardless of the validity of his specific claims, chips away at the collective effort to keep the sport clean. This dispute could inadvertently set a precedent or influence how other fighters approach anti-doping measures, potentially undermining essential safeguards for athlete health and fair play.
Future outlook for the Haney-Garcia rematch
Despite the current impasse, a rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia remains one of boxing’s most sought-after fights. The public interest is immense, driven by their controversial first encounter and their subsequent careers. Both fighters have been active since their first encounter.
Ryan Garcia rebounded from his suspension and a 2025 loss to Rolando Romero by defeating Mario Barrios in February 2026, claiming the WBC welterweight title. Devin Haney also secured a unanimous decision victory over Brian Norman Jr. in November 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, further cementing his standing in the welterweight division.
Unless one side softens its position on VADA testing, this disagreement could continue to block the path to the rematch. There have been rumors of a potential September 5 rematch, possibly at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with backing from Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season. These details, however, remain unconfirmed, adding to the uncertainty.
And complicating the situation, Devin Haney is reportedly eyeing a unification fight with WBA welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero for May 30 before potentially focusing on Garcia. This alternative pursuit by Haney may further diminish the urgency for him to accommodate Garcia’s reservations about VADA.
Rolando Romero was elevated to WBA welterweight champion recently, making him a significant target. It seems the ball is now firmly in Garcia’s court to address Bill Haney’s stringent VADA demands if he truly wants this rematch.
