Devin Haney responded to Ryan Garcia's one-year suspension on Thursday in a post on social media.
Devin Haney @RealdevinhaneyI'll be back n one year.. I had all the belts already. From now on I'm fighting at whatever weight I choose no longer fighting n weight classes
After Garcia's legal team reached a settlement with NYSAC, his victory over Haney was officially ruled a no-contest and he will forfeit his $1.1 million purse back to Golden Boy Promotions (via boxing insider Dan Rafael).
While Rafael noted that Haney may earn a percentage of the purse, he questioned Golden Boy Promotions getting "any money" back.
Devin Haney @RealdevinhaneyThank you too the commission for doing the right thing & making the right decision.. I don't understand how golden boy is getting any money as if they took any punches. They haven't even spoke out about this PED situation <a href="">
On April 20, Garcia secured a majority decision win over Haney after knocking him down three separate times. Haney initially suffered the first loss of his professional career after entering the bout with an undefeated record of 31-0.
However, two supplements listed on doping control forms submitted by Garcia before and after his win showed the presence of the banned substance ostarine (h/t ESPN's Mark Coppinger).
"I want to thank the commission and the fans who stood by me during this whole process," Haney said on Thursday, per Coppinger. "The facts are the facts and I wasn't on an even playing field. Happy I was able to receive justice for what happened. It's all part of my story and it's only going to make me better. I look to enjoy this time with my family and friends and see what's next."
"I think it's important for fighters to be clean and I want to become an advocate for clean athletes for my experience in this situation," he added.
According to Coppinger, Haney also sent a letter to the NYSAC on May 11 to formally request that his loss to Garcia be overturned to a disqualification win following the reveal of his failed test. Pat English, Haney's attorney, also argued that Garcia missing weight before the fight was a "tactic" that gave him an "unfair advantage."
As for Garcia, he has denied claims that he cheated in the past. He continued to deny the reports on Thursday, claiming that he is "innocent" and that "they took my victory away" in separate posts on X.
RYAN GARCIA @RyanGarciaThey took my victory away
While Haney was pleased with the commission's choice to suspend Garcia for at least one year, he's still not thrilled about the decision involving part of the $1.1 million purse going back to Golden Boy Promotions.
