A highly anticipated rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia has sparked interest within the boxing community, yet Garcia expresses skepticism about the likelihood of this matchup materializing. Garcia, a prominent figure in the sport, is set to face off against Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This fight presents a significant opportunity for Garcia, but he does not believe it will pave the way for a rematch with Haney.
Garcia’s comments reflect his perception that Haney is unenthusiastic about a second fight. “It seems like he ain’t hyped to come out,” Garcia stated in an interview with FightHype and other reporters. He added, “He’s been saying, ‘Oh, I don’t want to fight him.’ You don’t want to fight? Ok, I’m not going to force you to fight me.” Garcia, whose face remains unscathed from their previous encounter, challenges Haney’s reluctance and suggests that the emotional aftermath of their first fight has left a mark on the latter.
In their initial clash in 2024, Garcia secured an unexpected victory over Haney. However, the fight was later ruled a no contest due to Garcia’s failed drug test for ostarine, a performance-enhancing substance. Despite being fined and facing a one-year suspension, Garcia maintains that he did not knowingly ingest any banned drugs.
Garcia surmises that Haney’s hesitation for a rematch may stem from fear, as he believes his previous performance instilled apprehension in his opponent. “I gave him that fear, and that sh*t is still hitting his heart,” Garcia remarked, conveying his confidence ahead of his upcoming fight.
Looking beyond the potential rematch with Haney, Garcia is focused on his future in the welterweight division. “My first option would be Shakur (Stevenson),” he identified as a top contender he would like to face, followed by Conor Ben as another possibility. Should he triumph over Barrios, Garcia has exciting plans that could invigorate the welterweight landscape, paving the way for thrilling matchups that boxing enthusiasts will undoubtedly look forward to.