Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn states that Devin Haney is still not interested in a rematch with Ryan Garcia due to his unhappiness over his positive PED test from their fight on April 20th.
Haney’s Desire for Disqualification Win
Hearn says Haney (31-1, 15 KOs) wants disqualification for that fight so that he’s given the win over Ryan, but the New York State Athletic Commission will decide on that. If Haney gets his way and is given a disqualification win for his April 20th fight against Ryan, it would be perceived as a weak way to gain a victory.
Boxing fans view Haney’s disinterest in avenging his loss as a sign of weakness, showing that he lacks the guts to share the ring with the power-punching Ryan Garcia after what he went through in that fight.
Ryan pummeled Haney during their exchanges and turned it on whenever he wanted. Given how Ryan battered Haney, it’s impossible to see a scenario where Devin could change things in a rematch.
Protecting Haney’s Career
Haney’s decision not to push for a rematch with Ryan is smart, as his career would be ruined in a second defeat. Right now, Haney has a great excuse to give to the fans for his loss, blaming it on Ryan testing positive for the PED Osctarine.
If Haney were to lose to Ryan a second time, it would destroy his marketability, especially if it were a knockout loss.
“The way that Devin feels at the moment, he doesn’t really want the rematch,” said Eddie Hearn to the media, discussing a potential rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.
“You got to understand that he [Haney] took a lot of punishment that night, and when you understand someone has that in their body, he’s not feeling great about it, and it could have been worse physically,” Hearn said about Haney not being happy about Ryan Garcia testing positive for the banned substance, Ostarine for their April 20th fight.
Haney should be pushing for the rematch with Ryan because he won’t be able to regain the respect of the boxing public until he avenges that loss. If Haney walks away from this fight using Ryan’s positive PED test to gain a victory, it would be seen as weak.
Hearn Wants No-Contest
“It has to be,” said Hearn when asked if a no-contest would be a fair result for the Haney vs. Garcia fight in light of Ryan’s positive PED test results. “Devin wants a disqualification, so he gets the victory. “I’m on Devin’s side, but I see the argument. For me, it can’t count.”
If Haney is given a disqualification victory, that would be a bad look for him because the boxing public would not respect that way of getting a victory. Even a no-contest will look bad for Haney. It would be better for the victory to stand and a rematch to be ordered between Devin and Ryan.
“They know he had it in his system. It’s not like he might. He did, and the New York State Athletic Commission is one of the best in the world. I’m sure they’ll make it a no-contest,” said Hearn.
Read the full article here
