LOS ANGELES – If Devin Haney and his father, Bill, had their way, the Ryan Garcia rematch would be taking place in May, not October.

“This is all B.S.,” Bill Haney told BoxingScene Monday following the second news conference to tout the three-fight card being held May 2 at New York City’s Times Square. 

The show will feature Devin Haney, formerly the undisputed lightweight champion and previously the WBC titleholder at 140lbs, against former unified WBC/WBO junior welterweight titleholder Jose Ramirez. Garcia will be in the main event against former WBA 140lb titleholder Rolando Romero.

The elder Haney said he had to agree to the interim fight to make Garcia and promoter Oscar De La Hoya strike a deal with powerbroker Turki Alalshikh for Garcia-Haney II in Saudi Arabia in October.

“Everybody knows everyone wants to see the fight right now,” Bill Haney said. “I had to put the pen to paper and be very vocal to make the fight happen. They [Team Garcia] said the fans didn’t want to see the fight when everyone wanted to see it.

“So I had to tie this up. It was never about a lawsuit. It was about the justice of bringing the fans a fair fight. We hope Ryan Garcia will keep it clean – keep his nose clean – and there’ll be a fair fight.”

Haney and Garcia agreed to comprehensive drug testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association through their October fight date as a condition of making the bout that follows their first meeting on April 20, 2024.

In that infamous showdown, Garcia knocked Haney down three times and won by majority decision on the scorecards before submitting three positive tests for the banned performance-enhancing drug Ostarine, forcing the New York State Athletic Commission to rule the bout a no-contest and suspend Garcia for one year. Haney also sued Garcia; that lawsuit was dropped when they agreed to fight again.

“We’re not scared of him. He was scared last time,” Bill Haney said of Garcia. “That’s why he did it. He was scared to lose.” 

While Garcia had to take a year off, Haney opted to take a break, too, having a child and “rejuvenating” himself.

“I’m super excited, so determined to work again. I’m so excited to show what type of fighter I am again,” Devin Haney told BoxingScene. “I made a lot of mistakes in that first fight. […] I got away from it, had a baby, spent time with my family and enjoyed my vacation. I feel great.”

Bill Haney said his son’s return will showcase how meaningful the revival has been, insisting he won’t overlook Ramirez and will produce a sharp showing and gain a convincing victory while moving to welterweight.

“You don’t become the youngest undisputed champion without being focused. He has focus,” Bill Haney said. “Moving up to 140 was just a pit stop. Moving to 147, you’re going to see a stronger, faster, more determined Devin Haney.”

Fans attending the news conference heartily booed Haney and cheered Garcia.

Asked how he felt about that, Bill Haney said, “We know it’s Southern California. We’re from Oakland – Northern California. We understand this is a great boxing community. Ryan Garcia’s the hometown guy. Nevertheless, it’s a great opportunity to gain some fans and gain some respect.’’

Devin Haney just laughed onstage at his newfound villain role.

Before he left the downtown Mayan Theater, Devin Haney crossed paths with visiting fight fans, including notorious influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate.

“As long as they’re talking about you, it’s all good,” Andrew Tate told Haney.