However, much has changed since the night of May 2 in Riyadh. On the Riyadh Season card called Fatal Fury, Garcia’s controversies and distractions took their toll: a left hook from Rolando “Rolly” Romero, his former sparring partner, and a lackluster performance ruined his long-awaited return. Beyond the defeat, the blow sparked a debate: does a rematch with Haney still make sense?
For De La Hoya, the outlook is clear: the opponent that makes the most sense for Garcia is Romero in a second fight. However, Haney has hinted that a rematch with the Californian is not completely out of the question.
Devin Haney opens the door, but cautiously
In a recent interview, Haney acknowledged that the fight is still possible, although not immediately. The former undisputed champion, who will face Brian Norman Jr. in November, said that Garcia first needs “tune-up fights” before he crosses paths with him again.
When asked directly if the rematch is still on the table, Haney was brief but blunt: “Yes, of course”.
However, his own father, Bill Haney, was much more sceptical. On the ThaBoxingVoice podcast, he claimed that Garcia has dropped to 10th on his son’s list of potential opponents due to his performance “inside and outside the ring”.
The road ahead for both
If Haney beats Norman Jr., it could open the door to a welterweight unification fight, especially after Jaron Ennis’ temporary departure. There is also the possibility of a mandatory defense or even a rematch with Norman if there is a clause in the contract.
For Garcia, the most viable route in the short term is a second chapter with Rolando Romero. Reports indicate that talks are already underway. A win could restore his confidence and credibility, leaving him ready to rekindle the clash with Haney in a much more attractive setting.
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