Devin Haney has sued Ryan Garcia and his promoter Golden Boy Promotions.

The former undisputed lightweight champion filed a lawsuit against Garcia on Friday alleging battery, fraud and unjust enrichment relating to their fight earlier this year.

Haney is seeking legal action against GarciaEd Mulholland/Matchroom

Garcia missed weight by 3.5lbs but Haney chose to go forward with the contest where he was dropped three times en route to a unanimous decision loss on April 20.

However, the result was overturned to a no-contest after it was found that Garcia had failed multiple drug tests taken around the bout.

Garcia received a one-year ban from the sport after reaching a settlement with the New York Commission (NYC) while the fight result was wiped off both men’s records.

Haney’s attorney Pat English wrote in a 16-page filing obtained by Boxing Scene that his client is seeking punitive damages (damages awarded separately from the actual damages from an event).

“At no time did Devin Haney consent to engage in a bout against a boxer who was positive for a performance-enhancing drug, performance enhancing-procedure or masking agent and would not have proceeded with the bout had he known,” reads the lawsuit.

 “The New York State Athletic Commission would not have permitted the bout had it known of the positive finding or of Garcia’s IV use.

“Adding insult to the Commission and to the sport of boxing, Mr. Garcia has alleged that he was ‘high as f*** during’ his bout with Mr. Haney.

“This very clearly brings disrepute on the sport of boxing and by derivation on the New York State Athletic Commission…

“The Actions of Ryan Garcia and those who assisted him evince a high degree of moral turpitude and demonstrate wonton dishonesty as to imply criminal indifference to his civil obligations as well as willful or wanton negligence, or recklessness, or where there is a conscious disregard of the rights of others or conduct so reckless as to amount to such disregard.”

Referring to the battery count, English added: “[Haney] at no time agreed to engage in a bout against an individual who had taken a performance-enhancing drug.

De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions were also mentioned in the lawsuitRyan Hafey/PBC

Garcia floored Haney three times and beat him, but the fight was made a no-contest due to his positive drugs testsGetty

“His consent was limited to a bout held fairly and under the rules and prohibitions set forth above.

“Thus, the fighting (touching) by Garcia was non consensual.

“Devin Haney suffered damages in that he suffered physical injury, reputational damage which will amount to millions of dollars, and emotional and mental distress.”

The fraud count is connected to Garcia’s signed documents vowing he would not use performance-enhancing drugs and that he would make weight for the title fight.

Meanwhile, the unjust enrichment count stems from Haney’s legal team’s assessment that Garcia doesn’t deserve to keep his purse and pay-per-view cut.

As for Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, Haney claims he’s been deprived of funds demanded by a June 20 New York commission consent order.

“Under the terms of that consent order, Ryan Garcia must return the (guaranteed, non-pay-per-view earnings) purse he has been paid to his promoter, Golden Boy,” the lawsuit continued.

“Devin Haney and Devin Haney Inc. are contractually entitled to 47% of all profits for the bout and is thus entitled to 47% of the funds required to be returned …

“Golden Boy has asserted that it will not share its extra profits from the bout as a result of the forfeiture ordered by the New York Athletic Commission.

“This constitutes a breach of contract by Golden Boy and /or and /or unjust enrichment to Golden Boy.”

Garcia is yet to comment on the lawsuit at the time of writing.

His boxing ban ends on April 21, 2025.