Bill Haney Desperate For Haney vs. Garcia Rematch – ‘We Do It For The People’
Bill Haney is pushing desperately to secure a Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia rematch.
Their first clash took place in April 2024. The fight was marred by lots of controversy. Garcia missed the 140-pound weight by over three pounds. Haney agreed to go ahead with the fight after Garcia paid him $1.5 million. Garcia’s behavior also raised concerns over his mental health. But Ryan produced on the biggest stage, dropping Haney three times to secure a shock majority decision win. The result, however, became a no-contest. Ryan tested positive for Ostarine. He was given a year ban, meaning he cannot box until April 2025.
Haney responded by suing Garcia for breach of contract, fraud and unjust enrichment. Ryan reacted by countersuing Haney, creating more bad blood. Although the two fighters have said they were open to running things back, Oscar De La Hoya has other plans for Ryan. He is talking up a fight with Teofimo Lopez and Jaron Ennis. But Bill knows Devin has a score to settle. Devin’s brand has suffered massively. He has struggled to get a fight since then. Meanwhile, he is unlikely to get a huge purse like he did for facing Ryan. The rematch was Bill’s priority.
Haney Reacts
“Devin is a champion. Ryan Garcia is not. Oscar De La Hoya hasn’t been able to make a champion out of Ryan Garcia. Devin wants to fight whoever the people want to see, but he wants it to be on a level playing field. We do it for the people. They’re the ones that pay the bills, not the promoters. If the fans want to see a fight, then there’s a network that wants to put it on.
“The days of Oscar De La Hoya saying what he wants is over with. He said there’s no need for a rematch, but that’s him not listening to the people. That’s him creating fake narratives as if the people aren’t calling for it,” Bill said
The problem in making the rematch is the terms. Haney will want a bigger purse given everything that happened in the first fight. He may also demand extra concessions to ensure that Garcia makes weight. The weight class also needs to be decided. Garcia said he cannot make 140 pounds any longer. The higher weight classes will favor Ryan, whose power carries through the higher weights.
Will It Happen?
Devin is not a big puncher, meaning he faces more risks by moving up. Garcia will also see himself as the A-side. Despite failing the VADA tests, his social media following has increased massively. That gives him more leverage in talks. If the two egos get in the way, the rematch won’t happen. Bill wanted strict drug testing before any rematch takes place.
“The biggest thing is drug testing. He said he was crazy. So, if you were crazy enough to do it the first time, then you’ll be crazy enough to do it a second time. That’s the stickler, that he enrolls in a [drug testing] program,” Bill added
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