Why did Devin Haney sue Ryan Garcia? Explaining drama surrounding boxing match, PED violation, and more
The Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia rivalry seems headed to the court of law. Months after their conflict-ridden boxing match, Haney has reportedly sued Garcia.
After going 3-3 against one another as amateur boxers, they clashed in the professional boxing realm in Brooklyn, New York, on April 20, 2024, with Haney's WBC super lightweight championship at stake. The fight's build-up was marked by Garcia making several polarizing socio-political assertions, including about sensitive topics such as child trafficking.
Additionally, Garcia weighed in at 143.2 pounds, 3.2 pounds above the championship weight limit, making him ineligible to win the title. 'KingRy' secured three knockdowns en route to a majority decision victory. Nevertheless, the WBC announced that Haney retained the title despite the defeat because Garcia missed weight.
In May 2024, VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) confirmed that Garcia failed drug tests administered the day before and the day of the matchup. He tested positive for the banned PED (Performance Enhancing Drug) ostarine.
The 26-year-old proclaimed his innocence. Nevertheless, Garcia's B-sample too tested positive. In June 2024, the fight's verdict was overturned to an NC (No Contest).
Why did Devin Haney sue Ryan Garcia?
The NYSAC (New York State Athletic Commission) investigated Ryan Garcia, who eventually agreed to a plea deal. Garcia was reportedly fined over $1.2 million and handed a one-year (April 20, 2024, to April 20, 2025) suspension from professional boxing competition.
Garcia has vehemently refuted the steroid use allegations, despite his critics citing the plea deal as an admission of guilt.
Per ESPN, court documents suggest that Devin Haney filed a lawsuit against Ryan Garcia on Friday (Sept. 27, 2024). The 25-year-old Haney is reportedly seeking unspecified damages for breach of contract, battery, and fraud due to Garcia's PED test failures in relation to their fight.
Filed in New York, the suit underscored that Haney never agreed to compete against a fighter on PEDs. It also alluded to Garcia later stating that he intentionally missed weight -- something for which Haney previously requested the NYSAC to disqualify him.
The lawsuit also referenced the Oscar De La Hoya-helmed Golden Boy Promotions, Garcia's longtime promoter who promoted the Haney-Garcia event. Apparently, Devin Haney was contractually eligible to receive 47 percent of the event's profits. The suit has requested the event's full accounting, also inclusive of evidence to support expenses.
Golden Boy Promotions hasn't publicly responded to Devin Haney's lawsuit yet, but Ryan Garcia has. Taking to Instagram, Garcia jibed at Haney for getting caught with his left hook and asserted that he was simply doing his job. He seemingly likened their fight to a Netflix documentary with their expected court battle being the finale.
Meanwhile, Devin Haney's father-cum-mentor, Bill Haney, questioned why Golden Boy Promotions reportedly received Garcia's official fight purse ($1.1 million) after his doping violation. Bill also indicated that Garcia pleaded guilty and accepted the NYSAC's punishment, so 'KingRy' should also compensate his son.
Both boxers' respective next fights remain shrouded in mystery. Moreover, in July 2024, Ryan Garcia was expelled by the WBC after his remarks regarding black people and Muslims. Many deemed his remarks racist and discriminatory.
Garcia publicly acknowledged his mental health and substance abuse issues, something the WBC claimed he refused help for. 'KingRy's' family apologized for his remarks and attributed it to his mental health struggles.