Devin Haney has filed a lawsuit against Ryan Garcia in New York, seeking damages for battery, fraud, and breach of contract following their controversial April title fight. The fight, which took place in Brooklyn, saw Garcia upset Haney in a decision victory after knocking him down three times. However, the result was later overturned to a no contest when Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine, leading to a one-year suspension and a $1.2 million fine for Garcia after a settlement with the commission.
Haney, 25, alleges that Garcia's use of performance-enhancing drugs compromised the integrity of the fight. The lawsuit claims that Haney never agreed to face an opponent who had used PEDs and argues that Garcia's actions amounted to battery. Haney is also suing for fraud, stating that Garcia misled him and others by claiming he failed to make weight for the fight. Garcia weighed in at 143.2 pounds, above the 140-pound limit, which rendered him ineligible to win Haney's WBC junior welterweight title.
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Additionally, the suit names Garcia's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, headed by Oscar De La Hoya. Haney is demanding a full accounting of the event’s finances, as he was entitled to 47% of the event’s profits. Bill Haney, Devin's father and trainer, emphasized that the lawsuit is about justice for the sport, not just his son. He expressed frustration that while Garcia and Golden Boy Promotions faced fines, Devin Haney hasn’t been compensated for the wrongdoing that occurred.
Ryan Garcia, however, took to social media to downplay the lawsuit, humorously stating, "I'm being sued for doing my job" and calling it the "finale" to their bout, referring to Haney's struggles with his signature left hook as "left hook syndrome."
The legal battle adds another chapter to the already dramatic saga between these two fighters, with Garcia set to be reinstated in April 2025. Meanwhile, Haney, who remains undefeated at 31-0, has yet to announce his next fight. Will this lawsuit further delay the next steps in their careers, or will it ignite a rematch once Garcia returns to the ring?
Read more about Garcia's boxing career here.
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