Welterweight star Ryan Garcia has confirmed the drug testing company he will use for the Devin Haney rematch.
Garcia, 24-1, 20 KOs, made his declaration at a recent workout to promote his clash in Times Square, New York, against Rolly Romero.
‘King Ry’ will not employ VADA despite signing up for the program a few months ago, a stipulation of Haney and his team for fight two.
The pair have been at war over their controversial April 2024 contest. Haney lost via majority decision after being dropped multiple times in the first fight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, losing his undefeated record. The New York State Athletic Commission then scrubbed off Garcia’s win when he tested positive for performance-enhancing drug ostarine.
Garcia served a one-year NYSAC suspension, which runs out this week. At the same time, Haney launched legal action for unspecified damages as he alleged Garcia had committed battery for competing with banned substances in his system.
He dropped proceedings after a tentative settlement of Haney’s lawsuit, which hinged on a financial reward. The second battle was never a certainty until Turki Alalshikh stepped in and offered the pair a two-fight deal for the return.
The Garcia vs. Haney rematch [at welterweight after Haney dropped the WBC super lightweight title and moved up] is on for October if Ryan beats Romero [16-2, 13 KOs] for the WBA welterweight world title on May 2 and Devin overcomes Jose Ramirez on the same card.
However, Garcia will not allow VADA to oversee his testing procedures before or after the bout.
“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,” he emphasized.
On Haney’s decision to sue him and his father Bill’s subsequent badgering on social media, Garcia added, “There’s some personal bad blood there, but it’s not going to overrule me.
“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 vs Romero card and information
Haney [31-0, 15 KOs] faces Ramirez [29-2, 18 KOs], and Teofimo Lopez [21-1, 13 KOs] completes the card in a mandatory defense of his WBO super lightweight title. Lopez trades blows with Arnold Barboza Jr. [32-0, 11 KOs] after his unanimous decision win over Steve Claggett.
New York venue and Pay Per View
New York’s iconic Times Square will be transformed into a world-class boxing venue, hosting some of the biggest fighters in the sport.
Just 24 hours later on Saturday, May 3, global superstar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez [62-2-2, 39 KOs] makes his debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, facing off against the undefeated super middleweight champion William Scull [23-0, 9 KOs] at the ANB Arena.
The entirety of the card features four current and former world champions — Canelo, Scull, Jaime Munguía, and WBC cruiserweight ruler Badou Jack in a title fight against Noel Mikaelian.
The broadcast will be available worldwide exclusively on DAZN PPV over the Cinco de Mayo weekend, together for only $90 [pricing varies by market].
Events can be purchased individually for $59.99.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.
