Ryan Garcia And Devin Haney Have Heated Exchange At Press Conference
Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney are not scheduled to fight at this time, but that didn’t prevent the two from exchanging verbal jabs during a recent press conference where they were ostensibly on hand to promote an upcoming fight card that is scheduled for May 2 in Times Square in New York City. Garcia will face Rolando “Rolly” Romero on that card, while Haney is booked opposite Jose Ramirez.
The May 2 event marks the first time Garcia will compete since he defeated Haney via majority decision in April 2024. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) later ruled the fight a no contest after Garcia failed a drug test related to the bout. Garcia tested positive for ostarine and received a one-year suspension for the failed drug test. The NYSAC also ruled that Garcia’s $1.1 million purse had to be returned to the promoter. The commission fined Garcia $10,000. The matchup was initially for Haney’s WBC super lightweight title, but Garcia was not eligible to win the belt because he came in 3.2 pounds over the championship limit of 140 pounds. Haney had been 31-0 entering the Garcia scrap.
Garcia was the one who moved the conversation in Haney’s direction. Garcia said his first choice for the May 2 card was not Romero but former WBA super lightweight champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. After saying that, Garcia moved his attention to Haney.
“I’m really focused on just whooping Devin Haney’s ass again,” Garcia said. “That’s all I’m really worried about. Not even to redeem myself, just to cement that (expletive) Ostarine (expletive), which you probably did set up.
“We know you did that! Where’s your little brother? Is your brother in the house? Because your brother knew before everybody else and you don’t answer that question. How did he know before everybody else? Corruption at its finest. They couldn’t take the loss.”
Accusing Haney of being part of a setup was a new tack for Garcia. When the “B” sample of his drug test came back positive in May 2024, he told ESPN, “I don’t know where came from. Honestly, bro, I don’t. I was taking ashwagandha, D-3, Omega-3, just normal (expletive). I don’t know what the (expletive) [ostarine] is. … I have seriously no idea. I would tell everybody the truth.
“My whole thing is I’d rather tell the truth than try to fabricate it with a lie. Because lies don’t stand. So if I really did take it, I would be like, honestly, I was going through a weird situation. I wasn’t really that confident. I chose to take it. I’m sorry. And that’s it. But I didn’t and I hate cheating. … All I can say is legal team, help me figure this out.”
Devin Haney Answers Ryan Garcia’s Salvo
Garcia is still serving that suspension, which expires on April 20. Something that Haney referenced in his reply to Garcia’s accusations. “You took your punishment because you knew you were guilty,” said Haney.
Before the press conference moved on, Garcia pointed out that he scored three knockdowns in the Haney fight, “That Ostarine don’t help you block a left hook, bro,” Garcia said. “You got hit like a thousand times. You got dribbled off the canvas. You know nothing was taken. You know damn well. Do not do drugs? He had that in his back pocket the whole time.”
With wins from Garcia and Haney on May 2, it is likely they will meet in a rematch, possibly before the end of 2025. Both men are significant betting favorites heading into their upcoming matchups.
