Ryan Garcia confirmed he will proceed with a lawsuit against rival Devin Haney over comments made following their April 2024 bout. The legal action ensures their heated rivalry will continue outside the ring while both boxers pursue separate championship fights.
The confirmation puts an end to speculation about Garcia’s intentions. When asked directly by Fight Hub TV if he still planned to sue Haney, Garcia’s response was definitive and left no room for interpretation. “Yeah, for sure. I am,” he stated. This move formalizes a long-standing threat and escalates their public dispute from social media insults to a legal challenge centered on defamation.
The conflict stems from the aftermath of their fight in Brooklyn, where Garcia’s victory was overturned and declared a no-contest following failed drug tests. Garcia has consistently argued that the positive results were due to trace contamination and not intentional use of performance-enhancing substances. He alleges that Haney has since falsely portrayed him and damaged his reputation with public statements, prompting the legal action.
This rivalry now advances on two separate fronts. In the ring, both men have other obligations. Garcia is preparing for his mandatory WBC welterweight title defense against Conor Benn, scheduled for September 12 in Las Vegas. His focus must remain on that upcoming bout. Meanwhile, Haney continues to seek his next major opponent, with his own career path diverging from Garcia’s for the immediate future.
Still, the lawsuit guarantees their stories remain intertwined. By taking the dispute to court, Garcia ensures the narrative around his failed tests and the overturned fight remains a topic of public and legal debate. It complicates any future negotiations for a rematch and adds another layer of personal animosity to one of boxing’s most intense rivalries. While their athletic paths are temporarily separate, their conflict is set to continue under the scrutiny of the legal system.
