In a stunning display of boxing prowess, Ryan Garcia claimed the WBC Welterweight World Champion title, leaving his rival Devin Haney seething. But here's where it gets controversial: Haney, known for his intense rivalry with Garcia, couldn't help but notice the latter's dominant performance against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
Garcia, 27, was in complete control, securing a knockdown in the very first round and maintaining his dominance throughout the 12 rounds. Barrios seemed helpless against the skilled Garcia, who added his name to the list of titleholders alongside Lewis Crocker, Rolando Romero, and Haney himself.
However, Haney's post-fight reaction on X was far from congratulatory. He took a jab at Garcia's past doping scandal, tweeting, 'Ryan off that good juice.' This was a clear reference to Garcia's positive test for Ostarine after their previous encounter, which resulted in a controversial no-contest decision and a one-year doping ban for Garcia.
The rematch between these two boxing giants is now even more enticing. Haney's loss was overturned, but he still remembers being knocked down three times in that fight. He'll be eager to prove himself at welterweight, a division both fighters seem to favor, as Haney demonstrated with his WBO championship win over Brian Norman Jr. in November 2025.
But Garcia has his sights set on an even bigger challenge. He called out the four-weight world champion, Shakur Stevenson, who seems eager to accept. Stevenson's conditions? A 144lbs catchweight and Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency testing. And this is the part most people miss: Will Garcia's past doping controversy affect this potential matchup? Will Haney's rivalry with Garcia intensify further? The boxing world is buzzing with anticipation, and opinions are divided.
