Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney have reportedly entered into negotiations over their much-anticipated rematch.
The fierce rivals both met with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh in London last week while they attended the Ring Magazine awards.
And according to esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael, they now have the outline for a two-fight deal in place.
Both camps have received non-binding deal memos outlining the parameters of the agreement.
The two fights are expected to take place in the United States.
Their first bout is pencilled in for the spring and it will be followed by a fall sequel.
However, drug testing and Haney’s ongoing lawsuit against Garcia are impediments.
Haney is suing Garcia for alleged battery, fraud and unjust enrichment relating to their inaugural encounter while ‘King Ry’ insists he won’t run it back with Haney until the lawsuit has been dropped.
Garcia missed the 140lbs limit by 3.2lbs but Haney chose to go forward with the fight and was subsequently dropped three times en route to a unanimous decision loss.
The result was later overturned to a no-contest when Garcia was found to have failed two drug tests taken around the fight, resulting in a one-year ban from the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).
Haney has been pushing hard for both men to sign up to VADA drug testing for their rematch, although Garcia is yet to enter the pool at the time of writing.
If Garcia doesn’t sign up for VADA testing and Haney doesn’t drop his lawsuit then the fight could be derailed for good.
But even then, that isn’t the only factor at play.
Garcia also still needs to receive his license back from the NYSAC.
His ban ends on April 20, 2025, but in order to be re-licensed he must submit a clean drugs test.
“The New York State Athletic Commission has reached a settlement with Ryan Garcia following his bout on April 20th at the Barclay’s Center,” said the boxing commission in a statement after the news broke Garcia had failed a drug test.
“Under the terms of the Consent Order, Mr. Garcia is subject to the following actions: 1) his win against Mr. Devin Haney has been changed to an official ‘no-contest’; 2) his purse has been forfeited; 3) a fine of $10,000.00 has been imposed; and, 4) his New York State professional boxer license will be suspended until April 20, 2025, and until such time as he provides a clean urinalysis to the Commission.
“The Commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction.”
