Devin Haney has been out of action since his controversial fight with Ryan Garcia in April last year.
Garcia dropped Haney three times en route to being awarded a unanimous decision victory.
However, the result was overturned to a no contest after it was found ‘King Ry’ had tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine in two separate drug tests taken around the fight.
Haney went on to file a lawsuit against Garcia, alleging battery, fraud, and unjust enrichment related to their last outing.
Meanwhile, he has since vacated his WBC super lightweight title and will be considered a ‘champion in recess’ at his request.
Both Haney and Garcia have talked up a rematch to settle their score but that won’t come next as the former undisputed lightweight champion’s comeback fight is set to take place just before his rival is cleared to compete again.
On Friday night, Haney wrote on X: “March.. I’m back.”
This comes a month before Garcia’s drug ban finishes on April 20, 2025 – although this isn’t the only factor at play.
Garcia is set to undergo surgery for a wrist injury that prevented him from facing Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo on December 30 in an exhibition bout.
Not only will this take some time to recover from but Garcia also seems insistent on running it back with Anpo this year, which could delay the rematch further.
“I’m coming on here to say I’m sorry, sorry that I had to postpone this fight,” he wrote on social media last month.
“I suffered a hand injury in training camp to my right wrist right here, where after talking to doctors, I’m going to need surgery.
“And I had to take some time off the heal. I wanna thank Fanmio and Rizin for the opportunity, and I’m still excited to fight in Japan soon.
“And this will all resume right after I heal up in 2025.
“So make no mistake, I am coming back to finish what we started with Anpo and he will eat his words, I guarantee it.
“Just need to take some time off but when I come back there will be a bang in Japan.”
Boxing fans are clambering to see the Garcia vs Haney rematch so it is more than likely the fight will get over the line in the not-so-distant future.
Their inaugural encounter produced fireworks and the controversy surrounding the fight has only served to peak interest in a sequel further.
Esther Lin/FanmioGarcia was supposed to box Anpo in December but he injured his wrist[/caption]
But, at least for Haney, there will be a tune-up fight before fans get to see them lock horns again.
It is presently unclear what level of opposition Haney will share the ring with next.
But as ‘champion in recess’ he has the right to challenge for the WBC super lightweight crown upon his return.
Alberto Puello was elevated from interim to full champion when Haney vacated the green and gold strap so this could be a potential option.
Puello doesn’t have a fight booked in at the time of writing and hasn’t fought since beating Gary Antuanne Russell for the interim title in June last year.
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