Devin Haynie says a rematch with Ryan Garcia is his priority for 2025. He believes he will win “on an even playing field.” He brought it up multiple times in interviews on Saturday, sounding like a broken record.
Rematch Imperative
It’s clear that Heaney sees a rematch with Garcia as a priority because he needs it for these reasons:
- It is the highest salary
- Reestablishes his credibility as a fighter: This would likely be a short-term thing, as Hannay will struggle every time he fights someone with power.
- Maintains his career: Again, another short-term thing. Devin is clearly a sinking ship and can only stay afloat with Turkey’s help for a limited amount of time, as we saw with Deontay Wilder. If Hannay keeps losing, Al-Shiekh won’t keep throwing him a lifeline to keep his career from sinking.
Former two-division world champion Hanney (31-0, 15 KOs) is still playing the PED card, using it as an excuse for his loss to Ryan (24-1, 20 KOs) last April in Brooklyn, New York.
He probably won’t stop talking about it, and he probably will pollute preparing for a rematch between them, using it to rebuild his credibility with the fans who abandoned him.
The promotion of the Haney-Garcia 2 rematch will be ugly if Devin keeps bringing up Ryan’s positive test for Ostarine in every interview, using it as his misguided promotional tool. Let’s hope Hannay doesn’t stoop to that level, thinking fans will look at it as the reason Ryan blew him out of the water last April. They won’t.
The Tune-up
Haney says he met with Turki Al-Shieh in London and put together a “plan” for 2025. Devin is expected to go into battle against soft opponent in March before facing Garcia in the rematch.
However, there is a risk if Turki picks someone a little too good for Hannay as he could get knocked out or look bad if the fighter has any power. If Turki insists on putting Hani in with a live body, it could be career over for him as he finishes what Garcia started.
Devin’s fighting style involves a lot of jabs, frequent clinch and movement. His fights against George Kambossos Jr. and Regis Prograis showcase Heaney’s fighting style to a T. The way Hannay fought those two is his style, and it’s not exactly fun to watch, but it’s effective against that level of opposition.
Rematch priority
“We don’t know. Turki, His Excellency, has put together a plan for me, and you guys need to stay with us,” said Devin Haney Stomping Ground when asked who they will fight next in 2025. “In 2025, these fights (Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez) have to happen. I think it will happen, and like I said, I’m excited about 2025.
“Ryan Garcia,” Hayne said when asked what he would like to fight for in 2025. “That fight has question marks. It’s unfinished business. We are on a clear playing field, on a level playing field; “We know I’m going to win,” Haynie said when asked how the rematch with Ryan would play out.
“There is no bad blood with Eddie (Hearn). If he is given the opportunity and we can work together, then it will happen. If not, I appreciate Eddie for everything he has done for me. He put me in a position. “He gave me a chance at the beginning and I can’t appreciate him enough for that,” Haney said.
Fights arranged by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn for Haneya in the past have been against these fighters:
– George Kambossos Jr.: 2022
– Joseph Diaz Jr.: 2021
– Jorge Linares: 2021
