Ryan Garcia Countersues Devin Haney For $7.5 Million

Ryan Garcia has filed a countersuit against Devin Haney worth $7.5 million.
Garcia’s response comes after Haney initially filed a lawsuit accusing Garcia of breach of contract, fraud and unjust enrichment. Haney’s lawsuit emerged after his majority decision defeat to Garcia in April. Ryan dropped him three times, inflicting sustained punishment on the boxer. Garcia came into the fight three pounds over the 140 limit. But Garcia paid Haney a $1.5 million fine as the latter agreed to proceed. But since Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, the result became a no-contest. Garcia received a year ban.
However, Haney felt his brand had been damaged. He vacated his WBC Junior Welterweight Title after only Top Rank made a purse bid for his mandatory fight with Sandor Martin. Haney’s perception as an elite P4P fighter also diminished. He has not had a fight since April, nor is he close to announcing one. The Garcia lawsuit was seen as a way to get compensation for that. But Ryan is not standing by. He has accused team Haney of trying to force a rematch and hurt him economically.
Garcia Responds
“The [Haney] complaint is being used for perverted purposes, to coerce Garcia into a rematch, to cause economic harm to Garcia, to harm his reputation, to encourage unwarranted investigations and to obtain media attention. Tthe Haneys] may want to settle personal scores, but their abuse of the judicial process and harassment of Garcia has cost Garcia to the tune of millions of dollars and they must be held accountable,” Garcia lawyers (Craig Weiner and Reena Jain)
Nevertheless, Haney’s camp is confident that Garcia’s lawsuit will be dismissed. The ongoing legal action merely adds more hurdles in securing a rematch. The two fighters have indicated that they are open to running things back. But this would likely take place at a higher weight than 140. There are suggestions both fighters struggle to make junior welterweight. Garcia was the A-side in the first fight and still has more pulling power despite his failed Ostarine tests.
Haney’s Lawyer
However, Haney will likely want more concessions due to what happened in the first fight. There is also the question of whether Haney offers anything in the rematch. He has been criticized for filing the lawsuit in the first place. Tim Bradley referred to the move as ‘soft.’ He urged Haney to move on from the incident by getting back in the ring. Haney’s claim that it was battery has also come under fire since he agreed to take the fine and go ahead with the fight. But Devin’s lawyer, Pat English, has defended his client.
“Battery is a legal term. I don’t understand why [Haney] should take heat on it. Battery means unwanted, forceful touching, and, in this case, it’s backed by a circuit-court case discussing how a fighter taking a PED without the other fighter consenting is battery. It’s settled law, that is the appropriate course of action,” English stated
Boxing fans were very vocal about the legal case, having plenty to say.
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