“We have a date that will probably happen in November, but it’s still coming down to who that opponent is going to be,” Bill Haney stated to Brian Custer’s channel. “It should be a unification fight. All of the champions don’t have any fights right now, so why wouldn’t it be a unification fight first and foremost? If Ryan and Teo doesn’t happen, then it could be Ryan and Devin.”

Garcia represents the biggest prize available. He captured the WBC welterweight title by stopping Conor Benn inside two rounds, creating far more commercial appeal for a Haney rematch than a pairing with Paro.

The problem is Bill wants the rematch under Haney rules. He has repeatedly treated extended VADA testing as a non-negotiable condition, demanding that Ryan enroll months before the fight. Ryan distrusts VADA following his positive ostarine tests from their April 2024 meeting and has pushed for USADA or another organization.

This conflict will not disappear once contract talks start. It represents the exact roadblock stalling negotiations for months.

Team Haney lacks the authority it held when Devin owned the WBC belt at 140 pounds. Garcia secured a 55–45 split for their original meeting, and his bargaining power has only grown. He owns the title belt, commands the bigger audience, and carries huge momentum from the Benn knockout. Devin has been inactive since besting Brian Norman Jr.

Bill can ask for VADA, top billing, and the lion’s share of the money, but Garcia holds no incentive to give in. Having already accepted rough weight restrictions against Gervonta Davis, Garcia will not let Devin’s camp write the entire rulebook.

Devin might step into the ring this November, but Garcia probably will not be in the opposite corner. Until the Haneys back off their requirements or Garcia agrees to VADA, Devin will have to seek his unification against someone else.