Haney Sues Garcia for Battery, Fraud, and Breach of Contract
The feud between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia has taken a new turn, with Haney filing a lawsuit in New York alleging that Garcia is guilty of battery, fraud, and breach of contract. The lawsuit comes four months after their controversial April bout, which saw Garcia win but later face a suspension for a doping violation.
Haney’s lawsuit reignites the controversy surrounding their match, which initially saw Garcia secure a majority decision after knocking Haney down three times. However, the victory was overturned to a no contest when Ostarine, a banned performance-enhancing substance, was found in Garcia’s system. This discovery led to a one-year suspension and a $1.2 million fine for Garcia from the New York State Athletic Commission.
Haney argues that the doping issue played a significant role in the fight’s outcome, impacting his performance and career trajectory. The lawsuit accuses Garcia of actions that amount to battery and fraud, claiming that the presence of Ostarine in his system gave him an unfair advantage.
One of the central disputes in Haney’s lawsuit is the issue of weight. Garcia was 3.2 pounds over the agreed weight limit during the weigh-in, leading Haney to accept a $1.5 million penalty to allow the fight to proceed. However, Haney now alleges that Garcia knowingly and intentionally missed weight, claiming that the incident was a deliberate act of deception.
Despite the weight penalty, Garcia came in lighter than Haney on fight night but still managed to dominate the bout. Haney’s camp argues that Garcia’s actions misled not just Haney but the entire boxing community, breaching their contractual agreement and casting doubt on the fairness of the fight.
Garcia’s representative, Henry, has responded with sharp criticism, claiming that Haney’s lawsuit is an attempt to justify his loss and discredit Garcia’s win. Henry also pointed out that, despite coming in heavier than Garcia on fight night, Haney still struggled in the match.
The lawsuit is expected to be a lengthy and contentious legal battle, adding another chapter to the ongoing saga between Haney and Garcia.