In two weeks’ time, Devin Haney will turn 27. Professionally, he stands at a critical juncture. Just five days after he cuts the cake, Haney will step into the ring against Brian Norman Jr., the welterweight champion. Much rests on Haney’s ambitious pursuit of a championship in a third weight class. Though he defeated Jose Ramirez convincingly, the victory failed to douse the fire that’s been burning since his fight with Ryan Garcia. Perhaps it has much to do with the series of incidents that followed 2024’s most controversial bout.

For his failure to clear doping tests, Ryan Garcia received a one-year suspension and a slew of financial penalties. But Devin Haney and his team were apparently unsatisfied. Inside the ring, Garcia had knocked him down three times before claiming a majority-decision win. Later, the verdict was changed to no contest. Still, the outcome became a point of contention. One that many detractors eagerly used to take potshots at Haney. Feeling wronged, he decided to file a lawsuit against Garcia. The move, however, made him the target of widespread derision. Now, with just weeks separating him from the dream of a third world title, the ‘Dream’ finally reflected on one of the most contentious chapters of his career.

Devin Haney breaks silence on his lawsuit against Ryan Garcia

The former undisputed champion poured his heart out when Ariel Helwani noted how people often fail to give him the credit he deserves. As Devin Haney explained, Helwani suggested that one of the reasons might be the lawsuit he filed against Ryan Garcia. So Helwani said, “The only thing I could think of is the aftermath of the Ryan fight. People didn’t like the way that was handled. Do you regret any of that?”

Taking a few moments, Haney explained that the circumstances following the fight forced him and his team to consider legal action. “I’m a fighter, you know. I want to get it back in the ring. I want to get it back in blood. And that was my mindset from the start to the end,” he said before adding, “I’ve always wanted to do a rematch.”

Still, despite his intentions, he received the proverbial short end of the stick. “It was a guy that cheated, and I was getting on the flag a lot. You know I missed out on a lot of money. I missed out on a lot of opportunities for a guy who cheated me, but I wouldn’t have wanted to do it like that which I didn’t end up doing it like that. I didn’t go down that route,” Devin Haney revealed.

Ariel Helwani then asked the question on everyone’s mind- if the lawsuit was done and dusted.

Devin Haney tells Ryan Garcia: Time to let bygones be bygones

Devin Haney replied, “I end up, you know, wanting to. I said, “Listen, let’s fight. Let’s forget that. Forget any lawsuit. Forget anything. Let’s settle it in the ring.” And, uh, that’s when—that’s when we were scheduled to fight.” When Helwani pressed further, asking if the lawsuit was still being pursued, Haney responded simply, “Yeah.”

Speaking about the negative perception that arose after he filed the lawsuit, Devin Haney stated that, at the end of the day, all he wanted was a fair fight. Using banned substances, he insisted, is not part of the deal.

While he prepares for his bout with Norman Jr., a chance meeting with Ryan Garcia has seemingly renewed hopes for their much-anticipated rematch. Garcia is currently searching for a new dance partner. His comeback at the May 2 Fatal Fury card, where Haney also competed, fell short of expectations. Later, he had to undergo hand surgery.

Now that Garcia is on the road to recovery, talks about his next fight have resurfaced. In that mix, with Haney seemingly clearing the air, the possibility of a rematch appears more promising than ever.

What about you? Does the Haney-Garcia rematch still interest you?