Devin Haney Delivers Honest Verdict On Ryan Garcia’s Power After Suffering 3 Knockdowns

Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia are pencilled in to rematch later this year following their controversial first contest in April of 2024.

Haney was set to put his WBC Super Lightweight World Title on the line, however Garcia came in three pounds overweight after a particularly erratic fight week performance and was ineligible to win the belt. A deal was struck and the fight went ahead regardless.

On the night, Haney was caught by the left hook that he had told Garcia was his only weapon previously. He suffered three knockdowns later on – in the seventh, tenth and eleventh rounds – before losing by majority decision.

Speaking post-fight, Haney was asked how hurt he was but said that the knockdowns left him ‘surprised’ more than anything.

“He caught me early … It caught me by surprise. I fell asleep on the left hook. We trained for it but I got in there and fell asleep … I was more surprised than hurt. The first time I wasn’t really hurt. He went in there and jumped on me, like I knew he would, but I was sleeping.”

Garcia’s celebration was short-lived, however, when it was discovered he had twice tested positive for a banned substance. The result was overturned to a no contest and Garcia suspended for one year.

Haney feels he may not know the natural power Garcia holds. He has been open about the damaging effects of facing a man who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and attributes his loss on the night to that fact. Speaking to All The Smoke Fight, he said:

“PEDs, I mean it’s going to enhance whatever you already got. He wasn’t a bum fighter before that. He wasn’t just trash. He always showed power and speed before that. PEDs gonna enhance whatever you got. I don’t care whatever you say, why are they banned? Why do we test for them? If [that substance doesn’t give you an advantage] we shouldn’t even f***ing test for them.”

Now, with Garcia’s one-year suspension up this month, the two rivals are booked to fight on the same card with wins setting up the rematch for the second half of 2025. Haney must defeat Jose Ramirez before Garcia looks to hand Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero his third loss.