Beef, no matter how bitter or fractious, always comes with an expiry date. After the incidents that unfolded since their bout last year, no one believed Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney would ever get back on talking terms. Garcia’s doping controversy and the subsequent lawsuits exacerbated the differences to such an extent that any reconciliation appeared distant. Early this year, hopes soared as reports suggested Turki Alalshikh backed the Garcia–Haney rematch.

However, Ryan Garcia‘s shocking loss to Rolando Romero at the May 2 Fatal Fury, where Devin Haney secured an emphatic win over Jose Ramirez, dealt a severe blow to whatever chances their second fight had. But the tide may be turning. Clips of Garcia and Haney greeting each other warmly have been going viral. The former’s cryptic message about a rematch has added further intrigue. Garcia recently underwent surgery on his right hand. Haney, on the other hand, is getting ready for the much-anticipated showdown against Brian Norman Jr.

Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney: Let’s finish what we started!

“Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney end the drama,” read Clockednloaded‘s caption. “Ryan Garcia & Devin Haney squash the beef in public.” The attached clip had Ryan Garcia walking over to Devin Haney. The duo shook hands and hugged before Garcia reminded him how the latter had taught him baccarat.

“You taught me how to play baccarat, remember?” he said. The interaction received wholehearted approval from fans and users. However, a separate post from Ryan Garcia featured him facing off against Devin Haney. Tagging the former undisputed champion, he wrote, “Round 2 @realdevinhaney.”

It should be pointed out. Even if Garcia stated his intentions, it’s way too early to speculate on the rematch. For one, neither his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, nor, for that matter, Haney’s father, Bill Haney, appears enthusiastic about the second edition.

It’s over 12 months since the two fought. And much water has flowed under the bridge since then.

The rematch hangs by a thread

“Zero, whatsoever,” back in May, De La Hoya responded when a reporter asked, “The rematch with Ryan and Devin, can you give us any update? Is that the direction you guys want to go now?” Explaining the reasons, he stated, “It just doesn’t; it just doesn’t merit a rematch. I just don’t think it really… Devin, but actually lost, you know, winning; his stock is super down. I mean, everybody’s talking. I’m just stating facts here. People are talking about, you know, him just being a runner, like, not a boxer.”

Then, on the other hand, Bill Haney specified how, largely on account of Garcia’s performance both ‘inside and outside the ring,’ they moved his name to the bottom of the hit list.

However, it appears Devin Haney still nurses some hopes. During an appearance on Ring Champs with Ak and Barak, he shared, “He (Ryan) wants to get like tune-up fights and stuff like that, and then they want to do—they still want to do that rematch.” When AK asked, “So, did they ever present the Ryan fight like it’s still being a possibility?” Devin Haney remained positive: “Yeah. For sure, yeah.”

The latest meeting between two of boxing’s biggest names has reignited hopes for a sequel – thrilling, but free of controversy.

What’s your take? Do you still want a rematch between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney?