Both Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia must have been thankful that the Fatal Fury in Times Square event in New York was exclusive, with only 100-300 VIP guests watching their bouts live 3 days ago. Because if boxing fans would’ve been in the crowd, they would’ve just booed at Haney’s disappointing win over Jose Ramirez, and Garcia’s major upset loss to Rolando Romero.
It was important for both the 26-year-olds to win their respective bouts if they wanted a rematch after the shocking April 2024 no-contest, with Garcia ferociously knocking Haney down three times during the bout, and later testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug.
Now, King Ry was returning after a one-year suspension, while the undefeated 32-0 boxer was dragging his frightened feet into the ring after a similar period off. Haney held up his end of the bargain, but Garcia failed terribly. Yet, the former WBC light welterweight champ’s well-wisher, Lamont Roach Jr., believes that the Ramirez fight was a wrong move.
By now, it’s no hidden secret that boxing insiders think Haney was intentionally avoiding getting punched by Ramirez, running around the squared ring, and fearing he might get hit. Though it was a unanimous decision victory, the Ramirez fight had lacked any action whatsoever, frustrating those who took the time out to watch it.
Lamont Roach, who himself is in talks for a rematch with Gervonta Davis, potentially lined up for late summer this year, took to his X handle a day after Haney’s win over Ramirez, injecting his thoughts. “Ramirez is washed,” he wrote, implying that the 29-3 boxer is already worn off at 32 years to truly give a fight. Continuing, he called out Haney for not following the same path he is pursuing after his March draw with Tank. “Devin should’ve did the rematch with Ryan first. Fight would’ve been better and the win would’ve been more credible,” Roach said, indicating a rematch as the right way to go about losses, from his perspective.
Ramirez is washed. Devin should’ve did the rematch with Ryan first. Fight would’ve been better and the win would’ve been more credible
— Lamont Roach Jr (@OneOf1x) May 3, 2025
Supporting Haney like he usually does, The Reaper hadn’t held back after Haney and Garcia’s controversial fight. In early 2025, while he answered questions from fans on his YouTube channel, he insisted on a rematch between the two.
Favouring the San Francisco native, Roach had urged, “I hope Devin beats up Ryan Garcia. I don’t like cheaters. Yeah, I hope Devin Haney beats him up. Honestly, I hope Devin Haney catches him in the street.” And, Roach may have a point, but only if Haney wasn’t possibly ducking out, fearing Garcia. Is it still possible for a better-late-than-never rematch between Haney and Garcia?
Jose Ramirez’s trainer thinks a Haney-Garcia rematch is possible
Since the buzz in the boxing community right now is one, the May 2 Ryan Garcia event, and two, the May 3 Canelo Álvarez event, it’s all fans want to talk about.
An interviewer from Fight Hub TV got the chance to speak with Robert Garcia, Ramirez’s trainer. When asked about his fighter’s performance in the Haney match, he’d told, “I don’t say he was boxing, because in most rounds, I call it running. But that was his plan, he got the decision, and what can we say?”
Next, he was asked if the Haney-Garcia fight is still worth it, if the former’s performance was the actual problem. To which, the former IBF super featherweight boxer replied, “Haney vs. Garcia is still going to be a big fight. I think they should still do it. Too big.”
So, for now, it seems like the ball is in His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh’s court. Whether he sees potential in the rematch or not after both Garcia and Haney’s lazy performances is a question that would only get answered with time. Until then, let us know your thoughts on the rematch being worth it or not.
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