Sep 285 min read

Inside the Devin Haney Lawsuit Against Golden Boy and Ryan García

Updated: 5 days ago

09/28/2024

Photo Credit: Golden Boy

The rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan García will take place in the courtroom.

On September 27, 2024, WBC 140-pound champion Devin Haney filed a bombshell lawsuit against fellow boxer Ryan García and his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions. The suit, which sent shockwaves through the boxing world, revolves around their controversial April 2024 bout, which initially ended in a dramatic upset win for García but was later overturned due to García’s positive test for a banned substance. Haney’s lawsuit alleges serious claims including battery, fraud, and unjust enrichment, demanding not only financial damages but a full review of their fight’s accounting.

Background: The Fight and Its Aftermath

Photo Credit: Golden Boy

On April 20, 2024, at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) defended his WBC junior welterweight title against Ryan García (24-1, 20 KOs). García, already a fan favorite, was considered an underdog heading into the bout but shocked the boxing community by battering Haney, knocking him down three times en route to a majority decision victory (112-112, 114-110, 115-109). However, the celebration was short-lived. Days after the fight, it was revealed that García had tested positive for Ostarine, a banned performance-enhancing substance, which led to his suspension and the bout being declared a no-contest. García was fined $1.2 million and suspended for one year by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).

In the months that followed, tensions escalated. While García claimed contamination was the source of the banned substance, Haney’s camp was not satisfied with the outcome. On June 14, 2024, a Brunch Boxing report surfaced that the NYSAC had mishandled its testing protocols by sending García’s initial sample to an improper lab, sparking further controversy. Haney ultimately relinquished his WBC belt rather than defend it, opting instead to focus on seeking justice for what he believed to be a deeply unfair situation.

The Lawsuit: Allegations and Claims

Photo Credit: Golden Boy

Devin Haney’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, where the fight took place, makes multiple serious claims against Ryan García and Golden Boy Promotions.

1. Battery

Haney claims that García’s use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) transformed their fight into an unfair and dangerous situation. According to the lawsuit, “at no time did Devin Haney consent to engage in a bout against a boxer who was positive for a performance-enhancing drug.” Haney argues that the fight, which resulted in him being knocked down three times, amounted to non-consensual physical contact because he had agreed to fight under the rules prohibiting PED use.

2. Fraud

The fraud claim hinges on García’s signed documents prior to the bout, in which he affirmed that he had not used any banned substances and would fight drug-free. Additionally, García had agreed to make the 140-pound weight limit but missed weight by 3.5 pounds, coming in at 143.2. Though Haney agreed to proceed with the fight despite García’s weight, he now claims that García’s actions—both in failing to make weight and testing positive for PEDs—were fraudulent and damaged his career and reputation.

3. Unjust Enrichment

Haney’s legal team also accuses García of unjust enrichment, arguing that García’s victory, although overturned, boosted his reputation and financial standing at Haney’s expense. The lawsuit asserts that García does not deserve to keep the purse and pay-per-view revenue from the fight. Haney’s attorney, Pat English, emphasized that García’s actions not only enriched him unfairly but caused significant financial loss to Haney by damaging his future earning potential. English further criticized García’s behavior during the lead-up to the fight, citing his erratic actions, including García’s social media posts about conspiracy theories and his unprofessional conduct at press events.

Golden Boy Promotions: Why Sue Them?

Photo Credit: Golden Boy

Golden Boy Promotions, headed by Oscar De La Hoya, is also named in the lawsuit. Haney’s team argues that Golden Boy has failed to share the profits from the bout, despite the New York commission’s consent order that García must return his guaranteed purse to the promoter. Under the terms of Haney’s contract, he is entitled to 47% of the event’s profits, but Golden Boy has allegedly withheld funds, claiming that they would not share the additional revenue generated by the forfeiture.

Evidence: PEDs, Weight Issues, and Suspicious Behavior

Photo Credit: Golden Boy

The lawsuit’s most damning evidence includes three positive tests for Ostarine, along with corresponding positive results from García’s B-samples. The Haney camp also presented a YouTube video showing García receiving an IV of a “yellowish tinge” fluid before the fight, raising suspicions about his preparation.

In addition, the lawsuit recounts García’s bizarre behavior during the lead-up to the fight. Not only did he come in overweight, but he was seen drinking from a beer bottle while standing on the ceremonial scale. The suit also highlights García’s flippant social media comments after the bout, where he claimed to have been “high as fuck during the fight.”

Haney’s legal team is not only targeting García but also the individuals who supplied him with PEDs, with the intent to hold all responsible parties accountable.

Public Reactions and Legal Commentary

Photo Credit: Golden Boy

Fan and media reaction to Haney’s lawsuit has been mixed. Some, like TBRB board member and lawyer John Einrenhofer, support the idea that a boxer can pursue legal action when an opponent violates the rules and causes harm. Others, like boxing analyst Naji from Cigar Talk, believe that the lawsuit damages Haney’s image as a fighter. “Filing a lawsuit for battery as a boxer is crazy,” Naji commented, arguing that Haney should resolve the issue in the ring, not the courtroom.

Ryan García, for his part, responded to the lawsuit on social media, sarcastically saying, “I’m being sued for doing my job” and poking fun at Haney’s inability to defend against his left hook, which floored the champion three times during their fight.

The Bigger Picture: PEDs and the Future of Boxing

Photo Credit: Golden Boy

Bill Haney, Devin’s father and trainer, has framed the lawsuit as part of a larger effort to clean up boxing and challenge the use of PEDs. “Devin is the face of boxing because he has challenged the franchise in many ways,” Bill Haney said. “This is all for the good of the sport.” The elder Haney emphasized that this is not just about seeking financial compensation but ensuring that boxing remains a fair and honorable sport.

García, on the other hand, has maintained his innocence, claiming that his positive test was the result of accidental contamination and asserting that the levels of Ostarine in his system were so minuscule that they provided no competitive advantage.

What’s Next?

Photo Credit: Golden Boy

As the lawsuit moves forward, the boxing world watches closely. While Devin Haney’s legal team seeks damages and a review of the bout’s financials, Bill Haney has made it clear that his son would still be willing to face García in a rematch—provided that García adheres to stringent drug testing protocols and an acceptable purse is offered.

For now, the lawsuit represents a critical moment in boxing, one that highlights the ongoing battle against PEDs and the complex relationships between fighters, promoters, and the governing bodies that oversee the sport. The outcome could have lasting implications for how doping violations are handled and the legal recourse available to athletes who feel wronged by opponents who cheat.