In a stunning move that’s sending shockwaves through the boxing world, Golden Boy Promotions founder Oscar De La Hoya has officially ruled out a rematch between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney—despite the bout’s high-profile drama and controversy. Instead, De La Hoya has charted a new path for Garcia, hinting at a surprising alternative opponent that has fans and analysts speculating on the next big fight.

No Second Dance with Haney

Following their heated April showdown where Garcia handed Haney his first career loss, fans expected a rematch to be inevitable. The fight—marred by Garcia’s weight miss and the chaos that followed—generated huge pay-per-view numbers and stirred plenty of controversy, especially surrounding whether Garcia’s size advantage played a decisive role in his win.

Despite all signs pointing to a blockbuster sequel, De La Hoya abruptly shut the door on a second encounter.

“Look, the Haney fight was exciting, it had drama, it had storylines—but it’s done,” De La Hoya said in a recent interview. “Ryan did what he had to do. The chapter is closed. We’re looking forward now, not backward.”

His remarks immediately sparked debates within the boxing community. Many believe Haney, who retained his WBC title due to Garcia’s failure to make weight, deserves another chance. But De La Hoya’s comments make it clear: that’s not going to happen under his watch—at least not any time soon.

A New Direction for Garcia

What’s more shocking than De La Hoya turning down a big-money rematch? His cryptic announcement of a new fight in the works for Ryan Garcia—one that he promises will be “bigger and better.”

While he stopped short of naming the opponent outright, De La Hoya dropped enough hints to send fans into a frenzy of speculation.

“We’ve got our eyes on someone who’s going to bring fireworks. Think legacy, think action, think fan-favorite,” he teased.

Some names floated in the rumor mill include former champions like Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta “Tank” Davis, and even a potential crossover bout with an MMA fighter. Lopez and Davis are both viewed as high-risk, high-reward matchups, with Davis being the more personal grudge match after stopping Garcia in 2023.

However, insiders close to Golden Boy Promotions suggest that the chosen opponent might be “unexpected but stylistically exciting”—potentially signaling a strategic move to rebuild Garcia’s brand while keeping him active and relevant.

De La Hoya’s Master Plan

This latest decision fits into what many now see as De La Hoya’s long-term strategy to transform Garcia into not just a boxer, but a mainstream star.

“He’s not just a fighter; he’s a personality, a brand,” De La Hoya stated. “We’re building something sustainable here. Every move is calculated.”

Garcia, with over 10 million followers on social media, has always been positioned as more than just another contender. His marketability and connection with younger audiences make him a valuable asset—one De La Hoya seems keen to protect and promote carefully.

Refusing the Haney rematch may seem counterintuitive to boxing purists, but it aligns with a broader promotional tactic: avoid high-risk fights unless the reward is undeniable.

Reaction from Haney Camp

Unsurprisingly, Haney and his team didn’t take the news well. Haney, who’s been vocal about wanting to avenge his loss, expressed frustration on social media.

“Ran from the fade. We all see it,” Haney tweeted shortly after De La Hoya’s interview. “They know what really happened.”

Haney’s father and trainer, Bill Haney, went further, accusing De La Hoya of protecting Garcia from a legitimate rematch.

“They’re scared. Plain and simple. They know Devin with a fair weight cut and a clear head runs circles around Ryan,” he said in a statement to media.

Despite the bitterness, Haney is expected to move on and may seek to defend his title against another top contender in the crowded 140-pound division.

What’s Next?

For now, fans are left guessing. De La Hoya promises an official fight announcement “very soon,” and Garcia has teased training clips on Instagram, suggesting camp is already underway.

Whoever Garcia faces next, one thing is clear: Oscar De La Hoya is pulling the strings tightly—and not everyone is thrilled about it.

Whether this move is genius promotion or calculated avoidance, it has successfully done one thing: got everyone talking. And in boxing, sometimes that’s half the battle won.