Ryan Garcia

Both Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney are set to fight on the same boxing card in May ahead of a potential rematch between them down the line.

The Ring and Riyadh Season head Turki Alalshikh posted a photo of Garcia signing a contract Thursday on X, and Keith Idec of The Ring subsequently reported that the contract is for a bout on a May card that will take place "somewhere in the United States."

While the opponents for Garcia and Haney at that event haven't yet been announced, it is expected that if they both win, they will face each other in a rematch in October.

The first fight between Garcia and Haney occurred in April 2024, and it was marred by controversy.

Haney's WBC super lightweight title was not on the line due to Garcia missing weight, but the fight proceeded anyway, and Garcia turned in a dominant performance, knocking Haney down three times in what was initially ruled a majority-decision win for Garcia.

However, it was later found that Garcia tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug Ostarine in pre-fight tests, so the result was changed to a no-contest, and Garcia was suspended for one year.

Had the result stood, it would have represented the first loss of Haney's career, as the 26-year-old entered the bout with a perfect 31-0 record.

It also would have been a massive win for the 26-year-old Garcia, who suffered the first and only loss of his career against Gervonta Davis in April 2023.

Garcia bounced back with an eighth-round knockout win over Oscar Duarte in December 2023 to improve to 24-1, but the Haney win would have been the biggest of his career by a significant margin.

Neither Garcia nor Haney have fought since their encounter last year, so there is logic behind allowing both of them to get back in rhythm before their rematch.

Garcia's suspension is set to end shortly before the May card, leaving him free and clear to get back in the ring.

Assuming both Garcia and Haney are victorious in their in-ring returns, it will set the stage for one of the most highly anticipated boxing fights in recent memory given how their first meeting played out.

Jake Paul is the hottest commodity in all of combat sports, and multiple stars are vying for the opportunity to do business with the YouTuber.

After Paul defeated boxing legend Mike Tyson via unanimous decision on Friday in the first combat sports event to be streamed live on Netflix, the 27-year-old was the most popular name on social media as boxers and MMA fighters alike called him out for a future showdown.

Francis Ngannou, Ryan Garcia, KSI, and Artur Beterbiev were among those to throw their hats in the ring for a chance to square off with Paul:

While many criticized Paul for his lackluster showing against Tyson and his cherry-picked matchups, there's no denying that he's a cash cow. He previously said that he was making $40 million for Friday's fight, while Tyson reportedly took home $20 million. The fight broke numerous gate and streaming records, making Paul the biggest draw in boxing.

Paul's next move has yet to be revealed, but it can be expected that it will be another huge spectacle that will produce a major payday for all involved.

Devin Haney filed a lawsuit against Ryan Garcia on Friday alleging battery, fraud and unjust enrichment while demanding a full review for their April 20 fight that was ruled a no-contest, per Lance Pugmire of BoxingScene.

Garcia initially earned a majority decision win against Haney, knocking him down three times. However, Garcia was suspended for one year and the bout was later converted to a no-contest after he tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine.

Garcia's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, was also named in the lawsuit.

Haney's lawsuit also brings up Garcia missing weight by 3.2 pounds ahead of the fight, making him ineligible to win the WBC junior welterweight title. In June, Haney was eventually moved to "champion in recess" after telling the World Boxing Council that he was "physically, mentally and emotionally" unfit to defend his 140-pound belt, per Pugmire.

Pat English, Haney's attorney, wrote that the boxer is seeking punitive damages in the 16-page filing.

"At no time did Devin Haney consent to engage in a bout against a boxer who was positive for a performance-enhancing drug, performance enhancing-procedure or masking agent and would not have proceeded with the bout had he known," English wrote in the lawsuit, via Pugmire.

Garcia forfeited his disclosed purse of $1.2 million for the fight after he was suspended but his guaranteed earnings were "millions more," according to ESPN's Mike Coppinger.

"Ryan Garcia additionally received millions of dollars to which he was not entitled," English wrote in the suit, per Pugmire. "It is against equity and good conscience to permit Ryan Garcia to retain what is sought to be recovered in this action."

Haney's father and trainer, Bill, said on Friday that his son would still accept a rematch with Garcia as long as the purse money is acceptable and his opponent is subject to drug-testing screening.

Boxer Ryan Garcia was charged with misdemeanor vandalism on Thursday and could face up to one year in jail if convicted.

According to TMZ Sports, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the charge Thursday, stemming from a June 8 incident at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Hotel in L.A.

Garcia's attorney, Michael A. Goldstein, told TMZ Sports that they are hoping for a quick resolution in the case. He added that Garcia "has expressed sincere remorse for his actions ... and has also apologized to employees at the luxury hotel as well."

"The past several months have been difficult for Ryan and he understands he has reached a crossroads in both his personal life and career," Goldstein said. "Going forward, he knows the focus must be on his well-being and mental health issues which have been strained."

"There is no alternative. He apologizes to anyone he has offended with his behavior and words and hopes the investment in his own well-being will demonstrate the sincerity of his apology."

Garcia was arrested after allegedly causing a significant amount of damage to a room and a hallway at the hotel.

The official charge against Garcia is vandalism $400 or more in damage or destruction of property, and the 25-year-old boxer is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 7.

Gascón released a statement regarding the decision to file the charge against Garcia, saying:

"While we are grateful no injuries were reported in this incident, reckless behavior that damages property shows a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the safety and peace of our community. Our office will work to ensure the responsible individual is held accountable."

Garcia is coming off a controversial fight against Devin Haney in April that was initially ruled a majority-decision win in his favor.

After Garcia missed weight, Haney's WBC super lightweight title was not on the line, but the fight went forward anyway, and Garcia largely dominated.

However, the result was changed to a no-contest when Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine.

Garcia received a one-year suspension as a result of the positive test, and he was later expelled by the WBC due to comments he made during a livestream.

Per ESPN, Garcia used racial slurs against Black people and made disparaging comments against Muslim people, which prompted WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán to hand down the decision.

Garcia subsequently apologized for his comments and announced he would be going to rehab to address substance abuse issues.

While Garcia's boxing future is in limbo, he remains one of the top young stars in the sport, as the former WBC interim lightweight champion is 24-1 and was the first fighter to ever beat Haney before the result was overturned.

Ryan Garcia has apologized for his use of racial slurs on a social media livestream, which led to the World Boxing Council expelling the promotion's ex-interim lightweight title holder.

Garcia released his apology on X on Friday afternoon.

"I take all responsibility for my words. I'm misunderstood, I just got a lot of trauma. And It's been a tough couple of months as everyone can tell but I AM SORRY. I struggle with substance abuse and it hard for me with everything going on. I actually love Black people no cap which is why I'm actually said I offended all my Black family and friends. This sucks but all I can do is be better and stop using stupid words and letting some people in my circle hype me up. Sorry everyone that I offended. I still stand on stopping Black-on-Black crime. And that I hate pedo's so that will always remain something I stand on."

Garcia made racist comments regarding Black and Muslim people on that livestream. In response, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman released this statement.

Oscar De La Hoya, the president of Golden Boy Promotions and Garcia's promoter, also issued a statement.

"There is no room for hate or intolerance at my company. Period. I condemn Ryan's words in the strongest terms possible. I see that he has apologized, and that is a start — but it is only a start to earn back the trust and respect of those of us who have and continue to support him. We hope Ryan will use the the time he has away from the sport to work through the issues he has publicly discussed. We stand ready to help in whatever we can."

Garcia had issued a short (and since-deleted) apology on X prior to his latest attempt (h/t the Associated Press): "I was trolling I want all the killing to stop. I love everyone sorry if I offended you."

Garcia has already been suspended one year by the New York State Athletic Commission after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug (ostarine) in pre-testing before his April 20 majority decision win over Devin Haney, which has since been ruled a no-contest. The suspension is retroactive to the fight date, so he would be eligible for reinstatement on April 20, 2025. However, Garcia also announced his retirement on June 19, which further put his boxing future in doubt.

Former interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia has been expelled by the WBC for making racist comments about Black and Muslim people on a social media livestream.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announced the expulsion from any activity with the organization on Thursday, saying he fears for Garcia's "well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse."

In a since-deleted post on X (h/t the Associated Press), Garcia attempted to issue an apology: "I was trolling I want all the killing to stop. I love everyone sorry if I offended you."

Garcia's family issued a statement on the boxer's comments after Sulaiman announced the expulsion (via ESPN.com):

"Our family unequivocally does not support any statements [Garcia] has made regarding race or religion—these do not reflect who Ryan truly is and how he was raised. Those who know Ryan can attest to this fact. Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health over the years and as a family we are committed to ensuring and encouraging that he receives the necessary help to navigate this very challenging time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being."

Garcia's promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, also condemned the boxer's comments "in the strongest terms possible" in a post on social media.

"There is no room for hate or intolerance at my company. Period," De La Hoya wrote. "I condemn Ryan's words in the strongest terms possible. I see that he has apologized, and that is a start — but it is only a start to earn back the trust and respect of those of us who have and continue to support him. We hope Ryan will use the time he has away from the sport to work through the issues he has publicly discussed. We stand ready to help in whatever we can."

Garcia's expulsion from the WBC comes less than a month after he was arrested in Beverly Hills on June 8 after a hotel accused him of causing an estimated $15,000 in damages.

Garcia was suspended for one year by the New York State Athletic Commission on June 20 after he tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine as part of testing leading up to his bout with Devin Haney. The suspension is retroactive to the date of the fight on April 20.

During a 15-month hiatus from boxing between January 2021 and April 2022, Garcia spoke about his struggles with mental health, depression and suicidal thoughts. He had been scheduled to fight Javier Fortuna in July 2021 but withdrew to address his health and well-being.

Ryan Garcia recently mentioned that he'd be open to a bare-knuckle fight during his one-year suspension from boxing, and it sounds like there's a spot available for him.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship president Dave Feldman told TMZ that he "would be down to put Garcia on one of their international events."

Due to his suspension for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine from his fight against Devin Haney in April, Garcia wouldn't be licensed in America. Luckily, BKFC has multiple upcoming events overseas, including a card in the United Kingdom in August and another one in Spain in October.

Garcia told TMZ on Sunday that he's itching for a fight after the news broke of his suspension, and he's willing to test the waters outside of boxing to do so.

"I like 'Suga' Sean [O'Malley] cause he defended me [after cheating allegations]. But if he really wants to run it in the UFC, I'll run it. Or bare knuckle. S--t, I'm ready to fight anyone at this point," he said.

It now sounds like there's a chance Garcia will be able to get his wish. It's not yet clear who would be a viable opponent for the 25-year-old, but fans will certainly tune in to see him try his hand at bare-knuckle boxing.