“Affected me financially and mentally…” Devin Haney will take serious legal action against Ryan Garcia

Devin Haney says his marketability was hurt in his 12-round fight against Ryan Garcia, who tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine when they fought on April 20.

“Affected me financially and mentally…” Devin Haney will take serious legal action against Ryan Garcia

Despite backtracking on a legacy rematch, Devin Haney goes scorched earth on Ryan Garcia (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) reportedly backdated the year-long suspension of Ryan Garcia to his last scrap on April 20, 2024. Some agree, and others disagree with the suspension for outspoken ‘KingRy.’ The boxer would be eligible to reapply for a license in under ten months; nobody, and literally nobody, is taking this more badly than Devin Haney.

Garcia failed his post-fight test pool after the win, along with a significant weight miss. However, he wobbled Haney three times on his way to a majority nod. Coming 3.2lbs over Devin Haney, he outpointed him to win a decision. However, he could not supplant the WBC super-lightweight champ. Now, ‘The Dream’ goes scorched earth on losing money due to the result of that fight.

It definitely had a major impact. I haven’t made a million and a half since my beginning days of signing with Matchroom...My lawyers and team will, you know...do what they gotta do...to prove that in court agaisnt Ryan Garcia. Cause, it has affected me. Not only financially... but mentally. Everything...
Devin Haney via Exclusive Interview to Dan Rafael of Title Sports Network (@TitleSportsNetwork)
YouTube video

Despite a false positive for 19-Norandrosterone, Ryan Garcia tested in the green for Ostarine. On the grounds of the adverse findings resulting from an alleged contaminated container, the World Boxing Council allowed him to witness the opening of the “B” sample container and contest it if need be. It did not help matters whether or not he ingested contaminated samples willingly.

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Now, Garcia is back to 24-1-1 (20 KOs); the win over Devin Haney at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center will officially be a no-contest. Additionally, the Victorville, CA native will also forfeit $1 million to Golden Boy Promotions, along with a $10,000 NYSAC fine. Haney had already backpedaled, demanding to run things back in a rematch. However, there are substantial risks on both ends.

To rematch or not to, that is the question

What’s next for Devin Haney? The WBC 140-lbs champion jumped the gun early on the “Ryan Garcia does coke” bandwagon, which did not help him after all. ESPN‘s sixth-best active junior welterweight, he is now also a top #3 welterweight despite claims of a field drug test. BoxRec and other major publications hint that Garcia still remains his biggest payday.

It's not good for Devin Haney that the suspension is for a year
It’s not good for Devin Haney that the suspension is for a year (Source: ringtv.com/X)

The 25-year-old had indulged in the wishful thinking that a rematch would be one for ages. But now, actively driven to pin PED usage blame, Haney is still pushing for a longer ban on the matter. If that’s where he plans to campaign now, he’s not likely to enjoy that bid of money fighting the sharks at 147.

Haney lacks the power and punch resistance of a welterweight to match up with the likes of Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Brian Norman Jr. Moreover, Garcia himself has been hinting at a shift up after his previous harrowing cut due to a hydration clause. With more than a year lax, a more prepared and well-hydrated Garcia at 147 limits is a tough cookie. However, he did backtrack to being glad it wasn’t a DQ win; he wants the legacy grudge match, after all.

Haney is hell-bent on pursuing legal action against Garcia for his positive PED test pool. But he also believes the low bidding for his mandatory Sandor Martin this week shows his value has diminished. In this fractured era, it does not just matter about holding a strap. It’s about popularity and being a draw.

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