Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney must handle business in their respective fights on May 2, and then it appears all systems go for a highly anticipated rematch later this year.
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) is headlining the Ring Magazine card in Times Square, New York
on DAZN pay per view against Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs), while Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) will take on Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) in the co-feature.
Garcia says he’s not overlooking the hard-hitting Romero, but it’s also hard not to think about his archrival lurking in the distance.
“I have a lot to prove with the Devin Haney rematch. I need that,” Garcia said during a media workout at The BXNG Club in San Diego. “There is some personal bad blood there. But it's not going to overrule me. It's got that extra oomph to it, though, and I want to put a whooping on him even more. After that, I'll put a stamp on it and move forward.”
Garcia has been stuck on the sidelines over the last 12 months serving a one-year suspension after testing positive for the performance enhancing drug ostarine. The revelation overshadowed his three-knockdown performance and majority decision win against Haney, which was later changed to a No Contest.
“It took a lot of toll on my mental because I know I didn't take a steroid or anything like that,” said Garcia. “It was tough for me to overcome that. But I refocused myself and got blessed with this opportunity. Now it's my chance to come back and show everybody that I can fight.”
To prepare for the occasion, Garcia reunited with coach Derrick James and brought in Justin Fortune, Manny Pacquiao’s longtime strength and conditioning coach.
A secondary WBA welterweight title will also be at stake for the winner of Garcia and Romero.
“I'm about quality opponents, how I perform, how I look, how much money I am making – it really determines how good of a fighter you are,” said Garcia. “But it's still in my heart to become a champion.”
Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for The Ring. He can be reached on X and Instagram @ManoukAkopyan.