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WBC reinstates Ryan Garcia amid Barrios title controversy

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Image: Not Fighting to Win, Just for a Check': Rolando Romero's Scathing Critique of Garcia, Haney, Lopez, and the State of Modern Boxing

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announces that his organization has lifted the ban imposed on Ryan Garcia. This came after Ryan (24-2, 20 KO) underwent rehabilitation to get him back to work. He was expelled in July 2024 due to racist comments.

It is unclear whether Ryan will now be ranked in the top 15 of the WBC welterweight rankings. His promoters at Golden Boy are reportedly in negotiations with Premier Boxing Champions for him to challenge WBC 147-pound champion Mario Barrios in February or March 2026.

Fans on social media were furious after hearing reports that Garcia was in talks for a title fight against WBC champion Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KO). They believe Ryan does not deserve a shot at the belt, considering he lost his last fight to Rolando “Rolly” Romero via 12-round unanimous decision on May 2, 2025 in Times Square for the vacant WBA welterweight title.

Sulaiman’s statement

It doesn’t matter that Ryan won’t be in the top 15 of the WBC rankings. He will still be able to fight for the belt with Barrios. Garcia’s popularity makes him suitable for a world title fight against mandatory WBC title challenger Souleymane Cissokho.

Garcia’s popularity factor

It’s obviously unfair, but boxing is a business. Ryan moves the needle and has a huge social media following on Instagram with 12 million followers. In turn, Souleymane, who was born in Senegal and lives in France, is not well known in the US

A fight between him and Mario Barrios wouldn’t sell on PPV. It would be a disaster for Amazon Prime Video PPV if the PBC tried to charge fans to watch – a reality of the sport. Nobody knows who Souleymane is, so he’s out in the frosty.

I know it’s tough for a 34-year-old like Cissokho to ignore him, especially when a fighter who hasn’t won a fight in two years since 2023 gets a title shot against Barrios. It’s brutal and you can’t blame him if he’s seething with rage about it. That’s how it is.

Basic reality

Let’s be sincere – the WBC has not forgiven Ryan Garcia. Better for them that he was reinstated. He is like Fort Knox, pure gold in attracting fans and it will be more beneficial for the WBC if Ryan wins the welterweight title rather than an unknown fighter that Americans and fans in Mexico have never heard of.

Economic truth: look at it this way. Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia sells. The fight between Barrios and Souleyman did not. Worse yet, Souleymane would likely defeat Barrios and the WBC would have a champion holding a belt that American fans would have no interest in watching. If Barrios is to lose, it will be better for the WBC than against Ryan. From the way Mario has looked in his last two fights, it appears that he will not be able to defeat Souleyman without suffering a defeat.

Boxing is becoming more like WWE now and it’s more about who sells. The merit system on which the sport was based is fading away, being replaced by players who bring in the money. That’s why players like Ryan Garcia keep getting opportunities.

The WBC forgiving Ryan works for them because he will bring in the money. Holding him by the belt is great. It’s not about merit. This is pure marketability and works better for the WBC.

Last update: 11/03/2025

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Bill Haney commented on the Keyshawn Davis situation, says Shakur Stevenson’s fight is the most significant

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Image: Bill Haney Addresses Keyshawn Davis Situation, Says Shakur Stevenson Fight Comes First

“This man said he wanted the number 144,” Bill told Fight Hub TV. “He said, ‘We’ve got to sit down like businessmen and make this happen,’ right? Well, we’ve already sat down like businessmen. We’re ready to make it happen.”

Elder Haney also rejected suggestions that the catchweight proposal would represent a sudden change of plans.

“It’s not so sudden. 144 is a welterweight. Are you crazy or what?” Haney said. “At welterweight, we range from 140 to 147.”

As the conversation turned to Keyshawn Davis and his position as a top contender for the WBO title, Haney repeatedly pointed to what he believed to be a better opportunity.

“What is the most significant boxing fight going on right now?” Haney asked. “Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney.”

Haney acknowledged that Davis remains part of the bigger picture, but pointed out that Stevenson’s matchup has been years in the making.

“This case has been brewing for seven, eight, nine, 10 years, whatever it was,” Haney said. “Just rest and we’ll get it done. He’s on the list. He was on the list before he was on the list, and he’ll stay on the list.”

Time will tell if the fight comes to fruition, but Bill Haney’s comments were perhaps the strongest indication yet that Team Haney is sedate about racing Stevenson at the proposed catchweight of 144 pounds.

The situation could become more complicated if the WBO formally orders Haney to fulfill his mandatory obligation to Davis. Until then, it appears the Haneys are turning their attention to what they believe is the biggest fight available.

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Oscar De La Hoya says Gervonta Davis doesn’t deserve to have an undefeated record before her comeback

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Oscar De La Hoya says that Gervonta Davis does not deserve undefeated record ahead of comeback

Oscar De La Hoya believes Gervonta Davis’ professional record should see a loss ahead of his potential comeback fight.

It is said that the 31-year-old is in negotiations for a fight for the WBA lightweight title with Floyd Schofield Jr, offering “Tank” the opportunity to regain his elderly belt.

Davis defended his world title after: controversial draw with Lamont Roach in March 2025, but has since become the sanctioning body’s “halt champion” at 135 pounds.

This is partly due to his passivity, but also to the American’s problems outside the ring, where he faced accusations of domestic violence.

However, it currently appears that Davis could return to action soon, with a potential fight with Schofield set for September or October.

These negotiations involve Schofield’s promoter, Golden Boy boss De La Hoya, who insists that “Tank” should suffer his first professional defeat in the match against Roach.

Their match ended in a draw after referee Steve Willis ruled against a knockdown in round nine when Davis clearly touched the canvas following a shot by Roach.

As a result, De La Hoya said Fighting Hub TV that Roach should have back-to-back victories over “Tank” and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, whom he boxed in December to a less controversial draw.

“Roach is a great fighter in his own right. He has some really good wins under his belt. I say he wins because I think he really won against ‘Tank’ Davis and I think he did a great job against ‘Pitbull.’

If Davis and Schofield’s respective teams are unable to reach an agreement by June 22, their mandate quarterback will be sent to a bidding hearing.

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Shakur Stevenson accuses Devin Haney of ‘false public negotiations’ after £144 settlement

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Image: Shakur Stevenson Accuses Devin Haney of "Fake Public Negotiations" After 144-Pound Agreement

Potential negotiations between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have taken another public turn after Stevenson accused his rival of engaging in “false public negotiations” following Haney’s latest comments on social media.

Haney appeared frustrated after previously agreeing to Stevenson’s proposed catchweight of 144 pounds, suggesting that even accepting those terms did not bring the fight any closer to becoming a reality.


“144 is not enough…I still don’t want to fight! Damn…@ShakurStevenson,” Haney wrote X.

Shakur later responded by dismissing this public exchange as a impoverished reflection of how main event fights actually unfold.

“The same thing you all did with Rolly. All those counterfeit public negotiations… The real negotiations take place offline.” I am the truth that you will see when you stand before me!!” Shakur posted.

Shakiur previously considered 144 pounds to be a fair compromise in a potential showdown with Haney, who has competed at welterweight in his most recent outings. Haney then signaled his willingness to accept the catchweight offer, sparking optimism that one of boxing’s most talked-about fights could gain momentum.

The latest exchange came shortly after the WBO confirmed that Haney must either defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis or risk losing the belt. While neither Haney nor Stevenson directly addressed the situation in their recent posts, the article did add another note to any future negotiations involving the former two-division world champions.

With Haney facing a WBO title decision and Shakur insisting that stern negotiations will take place behind closed doors, the pressure is now on both camps to determine whether the fight can go beyond an online exchange.

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Categories Devin Haney, Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson

Last update: 2026/06/12 at 21:45

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