The last few months haven’t been the easiest of Devin Haney’s illustrious boxing career. Indeed, “The Dream” has had something of a nightmare in 2024.
Haney’s April 20 showdown with old amateur rival Ryan Garcia was shrouded in controversy. There was Garcia’s troubling pre-fight histrionics, then his flouncing of the weight that saw him come in almost four pounds over the 140-pound championship limit.
The fight still went ahead at the Barclays Center in New York, and it proved to be a shattering experience for Haney. The champion was decked three times en route to a punishing 12-round majority decision loss, his first as a professional, and it stung.
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But in the days that followed, it emerged that Garcia tested positive for a banned substance (ostarine) and the NYSAC would declare the fight a no-contest. Yet while Haney’s unbeaten record was reinstated, a large contingent of fight fans vowed never to forget the Garcia beatdown.
Finally, in June, Haney elected to vacate the WBC super lightweight title rather than go ahead with a mandatory assignment against Sandor Martin. That matchup was of no interest to Haney from the beginning, and when Top Rank made the lone bid for the fight at $2.42 million, you just knew it wasn’t going to happen.
A prideful man, Haney is now set for his ring return and has hinted at both a destination and a potential opponent.
The Sporting News predicts the next move for the former lightweight and super lightweight king.
Will Devin Haney fight Ryan Garcia next?
Forget the fact that he came in heavy for the Haney fight, Garcia popped dirty for a banned substance and has accepted a 12-month ban. That first fight is therefore invalid, so there’s a score to settle here.
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait for this one. If the sequel happens, you’re looking at no sooner than the summer of 2025. Garcia will need to get back into fighting shape, and he may want a tune-up fight first.
Will Devin Haney fight Mario Barrios next?
When Terence Crawford vacated the WBC welterweight title in June, San Antonio’s Mario Barrios was upgraded to full champion, news that caught Haney's attention immediately.
“Mauriciooooo..,” said the ex-champion in the direction of WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman when made aware of Barrios’ new status on X.
We can take from this response that Haney is interested in moving up to welterweight in pursuit of a third divisional title. Given that he piled on a gargantuan twenty pounds after weighing in for a 140-pound title fight with Regis Prograis, the move up might make sense.
Barrios was hanging fire for an unlikely showdown with aging all-time great Manny Pacquiao, but the 45-year-old Filipino’s listless showing in an exhibition with a kickboxer has poured ice-cold water on that idea.
It might be a case of the right time and the right place for Haney.
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Will Devin Haney fight in Saudi Arabia?
On Tuesday, Haney made his intentions clear. “The game ain’t been the same... bout time I come back,” said the former champion on X.
Shortly thereafter, Turki Al-Sheikh responded, “Deliver the job, champ!” Haney came back almost immediately, explaining that he'd never been away from the sport.
With this exchange, one can surmise that Haney’s Riyadh Season debut could be next. The question is, who will be in the other corner?