The two boxers fought in April 2023. Garcia won by decision, but that got changed to a no contest when he tested positive for a banned substance. The fight had issues from the start. Garcia came in 3 pounds over the weight limit, so he couldn't win Haney's WBC Super-Lightweight World Title.
After the fight, Garcia got suspended for a year. He'll be able to fight again in April 2024. Haney wasn't happy about the whole thing and sued Garcia for battery. He said he agreed to a fair fight, not one where his opponent used performance-enhancing drugs.
Both fighters have matches coming up on May 2, 2024. Garcia will face Rolando 'Rolly' Romero, while Haney takes on Jose Ramirez. If they both win, a rematch could happen. But Garcia's made it clear - no lawsuit, no rematch.
In a recent media interview, Garcia said:
"I said 'I'm not gonna give you a rematch unless you drop that [lawsuit],' so we've got to see if they hold to their word."
There might be some progress on the legal front. In January 2024, ESPN reported that the court was asked to pause proceedings for 90 days. This could mean they're trying to settle things out of court. Garcia's recent comments suggest they're still talking about it.
For now, fans will have to wait and see. Will Haney drop the lawsuit? Will Garcia agree to the rematch if he does? And most importantly, will both fighters win their May bouts? The boxing world watches with interest.