Garcia Changes His Stance On VADA

Ryan Garcia will undergo VADA and USADA testing for any rematch with Devin Haney. 

Garcia has been unhappy with VADA after he failed VADA tests for Ostarine in the aftermath of his Haney win last year. The victory became a no-contest, much to Garcia’s dismay. He denied taking any substances, while his team also argued that the amount in his system was not enough to enhance performance. The boxer complied with the New York State Athletic Commission to get to the bottom of the issue.

However, that was not enough to get him a year ban. Garcia spoke out against Victor Conte’s association with VADA and his links to Haney with his SNAC programme. Conte was previously found liable for money laundering and a steroid distribution charge, while now he works with VADA. Bill Haney has previously said that any conditions for a rematch must involve VADA. Garcia has now changed his tune.

Garcia On VADA

"I want the Devin Haney rematch 100 percent. I need it. I’m going to do it for USADA [United States Anti-Doping Agency] this time. I want the Devin Haney rematch so bad. I really want it. It’s got some extra oomph in there, you know, when you’re fighting and put it on him even more. Then you got Bill’s [Haney] crazy antics, and he’s constantly talking nonstop, and that makes me want to put a whooping in a little bit more. This is an opportunity to do it again, and I think after that, I’ll put a stamp on that and move forward," Garcia said

Nevertheless, Garcia must get past Rolando Romero first. Garcia will have his first fight since his ban when takes Rolly on May 2. He will headline a card that also features Haney’s first fight since Ryan when he faces Jose Ramirez. There is an expectation that if Ryan and Haney both win their bouts, then a rematch is likely on the cards. The fight will likely take place at 147 pounds, removing any issues of weight that persisted in the first fight.

Haney Rematch

Ryan failed to make the 140-pound limit, coming in 3 pounds over. Although Ryan ended up paying Haney a fine, the latter’s team argued the weight may have been a factor in the loss. Garcia dropped Haney three times in a fight where Haney had no answer to Ryan’s left hook. However, Roy Jones Jr. does not see Ryan beating Haney in the rematch.

"Well, if you [were on] steroids and you didn’t knock him out, then you know you’re not gonna knock him out so you gotta lean more towards [Devin] Haney right now. If you ain’t knock him out when you’re illegal, how you gonna beat him when you’re not illegal? It’s kind of hard to say but it makes the argument, because I’m sure if you give a guy steroids… they call performance enhancing drugs for a reason to enhance your performance. Without the enhancement, could you really beat him? We don’t know," Roy Jones Jr. stated

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