Devin Haney’s Title Reinstated by WBC, Ryan Garcia Camp Holding Out on Sample B

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 Devin Haney will be allowed to retain the World Boxing Council 140 pounds World Super Lightweight title despite his controversial nontitle points loss to Ryan Garcia. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman cited Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales and his rematch four round knockout loss to Jose Luis Castillo on October 8, 2005, at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, a bout in which Castillo showed up three and a half pounds overweight, meaning the WBC and WBO Lightweight titles were not at stake. A proposed third rubber match between Corrales and Castillo never took place when Corrales passed away.

 Haney, 31-1 with 15 knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada, will now face a mandatory WBC defense against top ranked challenger Sandor Martin, 42-3 with 15 knockouts, Barcelona, Cataluna, Spain. IBF champion Subriel Matias, WBO champ Teofimo Lopez, and WBA champion Isaac Cruz could be Haney reunification targets if he gets by Martin later in 2024.

 Garcia, 25-1 with 20 knockouts, Los Angeles, California, who weighed in overweight at 143.2 pounds and decisioned Haney by scores of 115-109, 114-110, and 112-112 after knocking Haney down three times, lost a point for hitting off the break in round seven. Garcia tested twice for the performance enhancing drug Ostarine in VADA urine tests taken in conjunction with his victory over Haney at Barclays Center in 2024. Ostarine has been on the World Anti-Doping banned list since 2008. The April 19 sample (not the April 20 sample) also screened positive but was not confirmed for Norandrosterone, another banned performance enhancing drug. Garcia and his attorney Darin Chavez, are now seeking to have his Sample B tested on May 22, 2024. A hearing is pending with the New York State Athletic Commission. Haney’s corner has petitioned the NYSAC for a reversal to a win by disqualification, while Garcia could be facing a No Contest if the bout result is officially overturned later in 2024.

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