Ryan Garcia is finally making his return to the ring after a long layoff. The reason? A year ago, he tested positive for the PED ostarine. Even though he dropped Devin Haney three times in their April fight, the whole thing got wiped off the record as a no-contest. And just like that, Garcia found himself sidelined for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission. But now? The suspension will be over in April, and he’ll be back in business.
In just two months, he’ll headline His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s first-ever Ring Magazine USA event at Times Square in New York. He’s set to face former WBA junior welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in the main event of Fatal Fury, while Devin Haney takes on Jose Ramirez in the co-main event. Moreover, Teofimo Lopez will also defend his WBO and Ring junior welterweight belts against Arnold Barboza Jr.
Now, here’s where things get spicy. With the fight night less than two months away, both Garcia and Haney were recently in New York to promote the event. It all started when the host of the press conference asked Haney’s opponent if he thinks The Dream has a good enough chin after suffering three knockdowns against Ryan Garcia. Jose Ramirez replied that he plans to test Haney’s chin. “Of course, I’m gonna test his chin. It’s my job,” Ramirez responded. This set Haney off, and he shot back immediately. His response to the apparent disrespect is what prompted Claressa Shields to chime in with her take.
Earlier today, she took to her X and said, “Facts,” resharing a post by the Ring Magazine. The post from the Ring Magazine read, “Devin Haney dismisses suggestions he could be ‘chinny’ and takes a jab at Ryan Garcia”. It shared what the 26-year-old responded during the Fatal Fury Press Conference in New York. Fumed by the insinuations, he had fired back: “I don’t understand what you mean by chin. I got up every single time against someone who was on PEDs. So I showed I got a chin.” But that wasn’t all.
Funny enough, despite being free to fight, The Dream has also stayed away from the ring since their April showdown. Instead, he’s been biding his time, waiting for the right opponent and the perfect moment to make his return. Originally, he had his sights set on a March comeback, but fate had other plans. Now, with a shot at taking down the 32-year-old Ramirez, the 26-year-old is feeling confident. However, despite their animosity, other than the above statement, the two long-time rivals, Garcia and Haney, surprisingly kept it very civil during the press conference. The reason?
Ryan Garcia is trying to stay clear of legal issues
A few hours before the press conference, Ryan Garcia sat down with The Ring. Naturally, the conversation turned to him and Devin Haney sharing the same card on May 2 in Times Square. The reporter pointed out how both fighters have kept it “classy” during the recent press events, despite their long-standing beef. “He is suing me,” the Victorville native stated as the reason for him not indulging Haney in any trash-talk. The 26-year-old even joked, “Everything I’ve said is now used against me.” At one point, he called Haney a “bi**h”, then laughed it off like, “maybe he’ll sue me for saying that. Who knows, he might use that in the deposition.”
The way Ryan Garcia sees it, Devin Haney’s more focused on legal paperwork than throwing punches. And honestly? Ryan Garcia is over the trash talk. If Haney beats Jose Ramirez and Garcia takes down Rolly Romero, we’re looking at a rematch that fans have been dying to see since their first bout in April last year. But this time, no more words—just fists flying. “I don’t have to say anything more. I already proved it. I already beat his a**,” Ryan Garcia declared defiantly. It seems this cold war will continue for a while, at least until the two manage to do away with their current opponents come fight night in May.
So, what do you think? Who wins the rematch?
