Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has emphatically stated that there are no current plans to arrange a rematch between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney upon Garcia’s return from his one-year suspension this upcoming April. For De La Hoya, the focus lies squarely on the potential and star power of Ryan Garcia, whose record stands at an impressive 24 wins, 1 loss, and 20 knockouts. As the boxing community eagerly anticipates Garcia’s comeback, De La Hoya’s vision for this return fight is critical, far transcending the mere notion of a rematch with Haney.
While some fans and observers are clamoring for a showdown between Garcia and Haney, De La Hoya has categorically dismissed such discussions. He highlighted a variety of concerns regarding the matchup, suggesting that there is a need for strategic opponent selection. De La Hoya recognizes that rushing Garcia into a contest with highly-skilled opponents like Teofimo Lopez could pose risks to a fighter who is just re-entering the ring after a lengthy hiatus. Instead, the focus will be on developing a robust lead-up to his return and exploiting the immense interest surrounding Garcia’s return to the boxing scene.
Devin Haney’s camp has been vocally in favor of a rematch, with Bill Haney, Devin’s father and manager, already advocating for it. This creates an interesting tension in the boxing narrative, especially given that many analysts believe a rematch could help both fighters capitalize on their previous encounter’s drama. However, De La Hoya remains committed to ensuring Garcia’s comeback is a grand spectacle rather than a hastily arranged rematch. By dismissing the idea, De La Hoya is steering the conversation away from what might be seen as a risky endeavor and instead leaning into a carefully curated comeback story.
This assertive positioning from De La Hoya underscores a broader industry practice where promoters meticulously manage fighters’ careers to maximize visibility and fan engagement. De La Hoya mentioned his plans for an enormous promotional campaign leading up to Garcia’s return, indicating that they have a well-laid strategy to cultivate anticipation. The objective is clear: Garcia must make a statement in his comeback fight to reclaim the spotlight while being in a position to face challenging opponents later down the line without jeopardizing his career trajectory.
As Ryan Garcia prepares for his soft-launch back into the sport, the absence of a direct rematch with Devin Haney might be the right move for now. With Oscar De La Hoya firmly at the helm, strategic decisions will define Garcia’s trajectory in the coming year, positioning him not only for a successful return but also for high-stakes matchups moving forward. In boxing, every decision counts, and it seems De La Hoya is gearing up to make this one a resounding success, fully aware that the return of a star can shift allegiances and reshape narratives throughout the sport.