Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have offered conflicting perspectives on a potential rematch with Devin Haney, while rumors of a Conor Benn fight become more likely.

Garcia won the welterweight world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios by unanimous decision following a first-round knockout.

Since then, his name has been most closely linked to Benn, the WBC No. 1 contender at 147 pounds, whose last fight was at 150 pounds against Regis Prograis.

In a recent interview with Fighting Hub TVGarcia confirmed that this is the fight he wants.

“Devin Haney never wanted this. He doesn’t want a rematch at all… [I’m going to return in] August. Can’t wait. I just want Conor [Benn]”

Unlike Garcia, said Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya Fight the noise that he “would like” to make a rematch with Haney a priority.

“I’m most interested in the rematch with Devin Haney. It could be a blockbuster event.

“I would love for this fight to take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium – it could be such a substantial fight.

“I believe this fight is the best fight that can be had right now.”

Garcia reached a majority decision against Haney in April 2024, but the result was declared a no contest after he tested positive twice for the banned substance Ostarine. It remains one of the most intriguing fights in boxing, especially considering the doubts surrounding the first result and the fact that it is currently a unification fight in the welterweight ranks.

But it appears Benn will take his shot despite recently signing a contract with Zuffa Boxing, the latest major promotion of the sport whose frontman Dana White has no interest in working with the four customary sanctioning bodies.

Tim Bradley raised modern questions about Naoya Inoue ahead of a possible fight with Junto Nakatani, saying the undisputed champion has been hit too tough recently and could be he’s starting to get tired of fighting.

“I was hesitant on what to choose,” Bradley said on his channel while talking about Saturday’s Inoue vs. Nakatani fight. “I don’t know who I’m going to favor yet. I’ll let you know later, man. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

Bradley explained that Nakatani’s length, timing and counters give him the tools to give Inoue more trouble than recent opponents. “Nakatani got a chance to bat,” Bradley said. “In any case, she needs to close the distance from him. The question is, will she do it safely?”

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Last updated: 26/04/2026 at 17:17

Floyd Mayweather still has not confirmed his rematch with Manny Pacquiao, and his silence now raises grave doubts whether this fight will take place at all.

While Pacquiao and his team continue to push the idea that a second fight has been agreed, Mayweather has said nothing beyond suggesting that any return would be an exhibition and that his undefeated record is not in jeopardy.

This gap between the two sides has only widened, resulting in one version being shared publicly while the other remains absent.

Pacquiao insists the deal is done

Pacquiao has repeatedly said the contract is for a fully sanctioned professional fight, not an exhibition.

“The contract we signed is a real fight,” Pacquiao said. “It’s either a real fight or nothing.”

His team went further, maintaining that contracts had been signed and financial commitments made, and Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur provided those details in multiple interviews, including with World Boxing News.

At this stage, the message was clear – the fight had begun and it would be fought on fully professional terms.

Mayweather’s silence tells a different story

Mayweather’s position does not match this certainty.

The former five-weight world champion has not yet officially confirmed the rematch and only referred to the exhibition conditions when discussing a possible return to the professional ranks.

There has been no announcement from Mayweather Promotions, no official launch of the event, and no confirmation from any broadcaster despite reports linking Netflix to the project.

Even that element has gone silent, with no evident promotion or support to suggest that a major fight announcement is imminent.

Mathur, who spoke out during the initial rollout, has also withdrawn from public comments in recent weeks.

The famed Mayweather pattern

The situation mirrors previous instances where reports of fighting have gained popularity without ever being confirmed.

Earlier this year, a proposed exhibition featuring Mike Tyson followed a similar path, with a reported date circulating ahead of his departure, with neither man formally mentioning its status.

Mayweather has long maintained a consistent stance in situations like this.

“Nothing is confirmed unless you hear it here first,” he said throughout his career, a standard he maintained until the exhibition era.

Until confirmation comes directly from Mayweather, speculation alone will not be enough to make the fight real.

Unresolved, not imminent

Pacquiao’s position remains unchanged, and there is an expectation in his camp that the rematch will be conducted as a truly professional fight.

But without Mayweather publicly responding to these conditions, the situation remains unresolved – and increasingly questionable.

At this point the direction becomes clear.

Throughout the discussion surrounding the second meeting, only one side is actively driving the narrative, while the other has yet to take any action.

Until Floyd Mayweather says it himself, there is no fight – just one-sided noise.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.