Bill Haney believed Devin Haney’s trip to Riyadh would help secure a Ryan Garcia rematch. Devin returned with a welterweight belt but no commitment involving Ryan.
He now admits the people behind the Riyadh events have a different mission.
“We also went on the undercard in a belief that we would be helping the overall mission to have Devin and Ryan Garcia in there for a fight,” Bill told the Mr. Verzace podcast. “I no longer believe that that’s the mission. I’ve unloosed the team and told them, ‘Listen, we’re fighting main event and we don’t give a [expletive] who we fight.’”
That change is not encouraging for the Haneys. Ryan’s September 12 fight with Conor Benn is being presented by Zuffa Boxing and The Ring, with Turki Alalshikh involved. The groups controlling the event may have different plans for the winner.
At 147 pounds, Ryan has no shortage of marketable opponents. An entertaining fight with Benn can lead to a rematch. A Rolly Romero victory over Teofimo Lopez would create interest in Garcia trying to avenge his 2025 loss. Teofimo beating Rolly opens another major fight.
Three more possibilities are Richardson Hitchins, Keyshawn Davis, and Shakur Stevenson, all of whom would welcome the chance to face Garcia. Devin is one of at least six names competing for Ryan’s attention.
His performance against Brian Norman Jr. did little to make him indispensable. Devin secured the belt with a cautious approach, repeatedly clinching when Norman reached punching distance. He won, but the minimalist style was not a strong advertisement for another major investment. Turki has previously criticized low-action fights after watching Devin defeat Jose Ramirez in Times Square. With several action-oriented rivals available for Garcia, financing the Haney rematch may not be his first choice.
Waiting for the Saudis to handle the matchmaking is no longer enough. Bill needs to contact IBF champion Liam Paro or WBA regular champion Jack Catterall and complete a deal while either remains available.
Interest from Paro’s team did not produce an offer. Catterall accepted a proposed date and Atlanta location before communication from Devin’s side stopped. The opportunity may soon disappear because the WBA mandatory can pursue the winner of Rolly versus Teofimo rather than wait for the Haneys to return his call.
Remaining inactive does not reserve Devin’s place opposite Garcia. It gives Ryan’s other possibilities time to become more valuable and allows Paro and Catterall to make plans without him.
Riyadh did not provide the matchmaking help Bill expected. His job now is to keep Devin active before Garcia and the available alternatives move beyond him.
