Hearn Calls Haney’s Lawsuit Against Garcia a "Turning Point for Boxing"

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn commented on the lawsuit filed by WBC super lightweight (up to 63.5 kg) champion on recess Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) against former opponent Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs).

“This could be a real turning point for boxing because before, when a fighter failed a doping test and still fought, people asked, ‘Should there be legal or criminal responsibility for this?’

If Haney wins this case, I think it will seriously start deterring boxers from using banned substances. When Ryan Garcia gets a one-year suspension—it’s no big deal: a few months off, and you’re back in camp. But if you lose tens of millions of dollars, that’s a whole different story,” Hearn stated.

Ryan Garcia responded to Hearn's remarks. The American boxer recalled an incident in 2022 when Conor Benn failed two drug tests for clomiphene, a substance that boosts endurance, ahead of his fight with Chris Eubank Jr..

“Eddie Hearn is a hypocrite. His fighter Benn tested positive for a banned substance, and he still tried to make the fight happen.

In my case, a few weeks after my fight, nobody knew what was in my system. This is some kind of circus from Eddie Hearn,” Garcia wrote on Twitter.

It’s worth noting that Devin Haney had previously filed a lawsuit against Ryan Garcia over several accusations: assault, fraud, and unjust enrichment. In April 2024, Garcia won a split decision against Haney, but Ryan missed weight before the fight, and afterward, it was revealed that he had tested positive for banned substances. The bout was declared a no contest, and Garcia received a one-year suspension.