Devin Haney Shifts Focus Back to Boxing
Devin Haney has shifted his focus back to the boxing ring after announcing the decision to drop a lawsuit against Ryan Garcia, which he initially filed after their controversial fight in April 2024. Haney’s legal action included claims of battery, fraud, and breach of contract, stemming from an incident where Garcia failed to make weight and subsequently knocked Haney down three times, leading to a majority decision win. This win was later overturned to a no-contest due to Garcia’s positive test for the banned substance ostarine, which resulted in his suspension for one year.
Desire for Competition
Haney revealed in an interview on “Uncrowned’s The Ariel Helwani Show” that the lawsuit was largely driven by his team, not by his own desire.
“I’m a fighter. I want to get it back in the ring. I want to get it back in blood,”
he stated, emphasizing his preference for settling their issues through direct competition rather than legal channels. He expressed regret over the situation, feeling that he was unfairly treated after putting in the hard work only to be cheated in the ring.
Path to Rematch
The path to a rematch had been set with arrangements through Saudi Arabian financier Turki Alalshikh, which included preliminary bouts for both fighters. Haney successfully defeated Jose Ramirez in Times Square, fulfilling his end of the agreement, but Garcia’s defeat to Rolando “Rolly” Romero derailed plans for their anticipated rematch.
Future Aspirations
Despite the recent fallout, Haney remains determined to face Garcia in the future, stating that personal animosity is secondary to professional aspirations. He remarked,
“It’s business at the end of the day. Yes, there’s animosity, but we have to come together to make a fight happen.”
Upcoming Fight and Weight Class Transition
Looking ahead, Haney’s immediate goal is to compete for the WBO welterweight title against Brian Norman Jr. on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He openly shared the complications he faced leading up to this matchup, such as failed negotiations with both Garcia and Teofimo Lopez, as well as a potential fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis, who has since moved up in weight classes.
Haney is feeling optimistic about his new weight class, revealing,
“I feel so much better at 147 [pounds]… My training camps are now focused on game-planning and skill improvement, not just weight loss.”
Future Opportunities and Boxing Reforms
The two-division champion doesn’t rule out the prospect of eventually competing at middleweight, which could create opportunities for high-stakes bouts against names like Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. He also commented on the controversial Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, which has been hotly debated in boxing circles, arguing that while reforms are necessary in the sport, changes threatening the integrity of boxing history should be carefully considered.
“This is what made boxing. Kids grow up dreaming of being the undisputed champion… it would suck if they changed it,”
he concluded.
