In April 2023, Garcia and Haney faced off in what seemed to be Garcia's best performance yet. He dropped Haney three times and won by majority decision. But the result didn't stand. Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug, twice during fight week. The California State Athletic Commission changed the result to a no-contest, suspended Garcia for a year, and fined him over $1 million.
Jones Jr shared his prediction in an interview with AKHi TV. He said:
"Well, if you [were on] steroids and you didn't knock him out, then you know you're not gonna knock him out so you gotta lean more towards [Devin] Haney right now."
Jones Jr expanded on his reasoning:
"If you ain't knock him out when you're illegal, how you gonna beat him when you're not illegal? It's kind of hard to say but it makes the argument, because I'm sure if you give a guy steroids… they call performance enhancing drugs for a reason to enhance your performance. Without the enhancement, could you really beat him? We don't know."
The boxing legend's logic is straightforward. If Garcia couldn't finish Haney while using performance-enhancing substances, his chances of winning without them seem slim.
Ostarine, the substance Garcia tested positive for, is known to enhance athletic performance. Its presence in Garcia's system during the first fight casts doubt on his ability to replicate that performance cleanly.
Both fighters have bouts lined up before their potential rematch. On May 2, 2024, in Times Square, New York City, Garcia will face Rolando 'Rolly' Romero at welterweight. Haney will take on former unified super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez at a 144-pound catchweight.
The outcomes of these fights will likely influence the timing and terms of the Haney-Garcia rematch. But when it happens, Jones Jr's prediction suggests Haney will have the upper hand.