Devin Haney deep in talks over ‘very likely’ next fight with Ryan Garcia rematch to follow

Devin Haney and Rolly Romero are finalising terms for a welterweight unification fight in May.

‘The Dream’ snatched the WBO 147lbs strap from Brian Norman Jr in November via a lopsided unanimous decision, and is now hoping to add Romero’s WBA belt to his collection.

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“I can’t say that it’s a done deal yet,” Haney told Ring Magazine.

“We are working on it. I think that it’s very likely that it will happen [next].

“I think it’s a good fight for boxing and a chance for me to pick up another belt and beat the guy who beat Ryan Garcia.

“I’ll move up higher in the pound-for-pound list and show how great I really am…

“Rolly has a very awkward style, and that’s what makes it hard for guys to beat him.

“Ryan had a lot of trouble with him just because he didn’t know how to adjust to his awkwardness.

“This is a fight where I go in there, have fun, and show how good I really am.

“With a guy like Rolly, I’ll be able to showcase a lot more of my arsenal, bring a lot more tools, and really open up on him.”

Romero picked up the WBA ‘regular’ belt in May, outpointing Ryan Garcia in a low-output affair, before being upgraded to full world champion three months later.

During a recent interview with the Night Cap Show, posted on Thursday, Romero claimed that he had signed his side of the deal, but Haney hadn’t.

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“I think we have Devin lined up for the end of May,” he said.

“But it’s been a whole week now, and they are going back and forth.

“They don’t want to sign the contract, but it is looking like they will.”

According to various reports, the fight is being lined up for May 30 at New York’s Barclays Center.

Both Haney and Romero had their darkest nights as professionals in the famous venue.

Romero was knocked out by Gervonta Davis at the Barclays Center in May 2022, while Haney’s infamous inaugural encounter with Garcia took place at the same site.

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Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia II latest

For the uninitiated: Garcia dropped Haney three times en route to initially being declared the victor via majority decision.

However, the result was overturned to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine.

Boxing fans have been clamouring for a rematch ever since, and it appears they could be on the verge of getting their wish.

On Wednesday, Devin Haney Promotions uploaded a cryptic Instagram story of Haney and Garcia facing off with the caption “Allegiant Stadium, Sept 5,” seemingly leaking the proposed date and venue for the much-anticipated rematch.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh hatched plans for Haney and Garcia to run it back in late 2025.

All the fierce rivals needed to do was win their respective bouts on the Times Square bill.

Haney defeated Jose Ramirez to complete his side of the deal, but Garcia’s loss to Romero led to the proposal falling through.

Garcia has since rebounded to win the WBC welterweight title from Mario Barrios in February, putting the Haney rematch back into play for 2026.