Garcia Spins Haney Win To Protect Their 2026 Rematch Shot

Ryan Garcia posted a positive reaction to Devin Haney’s 12-round unanimous decision victory over WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. from last Saturday night at the Ring IV event at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Calling it a “great performance,” Ryan chose to paint Devin’s victory in a favorable light.

(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

Protecting the Rematch

Ryan’s positive spin on Haney’s performance was predictable. The last thing he would want to do is tell it like it is, say it was another boring performance by Haney, and taint their likely rematch in 2026. Surprisingly, Garcia didn’t say more by making Devin’s victory sound in glowing terms, making it sound magical rather than dull, to help build up their rematch.

Last night’s fight involved Devin repeatedly holding Norman Jr. in every round, getting away with dirty tactics that should have drawn penalties from the referee.

Congratulations Devin, great performance

Let’s the stars align ✨

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) November 23, 2025

Ryan still needs to win his fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on February 21, 2026, before rematch negotiations with Haney can begin.

Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) must be victorious against Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs), because he’s coming off a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero earlier this year on May 2, 2025.

Fans Not Buying It

Understandably, any fan believes that Ryan doesn’t deserve to be fighting for a world title after a loss. If Garcia gets beaten by Barrios, it would make a rematch with Haney into a big joke, as that would be his third straight world title fight. How could a title shot against the newly crowned WBO welterweight champion Haney be justified under those conditions?

It won’t be as huge a shock if the Garcia-Haney rematch still goes ahead if Barrios beats Ryan. There will still be enough fans who want to see them fight again and would be willing to ignore Garcia coming into the rematch with a 1-3-1 NC in his last four fights.

Kingry defeated Haney by a 12-round majority decision on April 20, 2024, in Brooklyn, New York. After the fight, Ryan tested positive for Ostarine, resulting in his victory being overturned. It was ruled a no-contest, and Garcia was suspended for a year.