WBC junior welterweight champion Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney 31-0 (15) will defend his title against Ryan Garcia 24-1 (20) in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 20.

The 25-year-old Garcia of Los Angeles has called out former undisputed lightweight champion Haney in the past before changing tack and deciding he wanted to face WBA 140-pound titleholder Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero 15-1 (13) instead.

In his post-fight interview following his eighth-round knockout of Oscar Duarte 26-2-1 (21) on 2 December, Garcia said: “If Rollies wants that, bring it on, Rollies. Let’s keep building and then we can go after Devin Haney and all the other dudes… Teofimo [Lopez]. But you know, we gotta take our steps.”

Romero removed himself from the equation when he signed on the dotted line to defend his title against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz 25-2-1 (17) in Las Vegas on March 30.

One week after Garcia’s victory over Duarte the 25-year-old Haney dominated southpaw Regis Prograis 29-2 (24) to annex the WBC belt by shutout.

As clinical as the victory was, Garcia was not impressed.

“This was Devin at his finest, but his finest is something that can put people to sleep that is watching,” Garcia wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I know what he’s missing. He can have it one day but he don’t have it right now. Make your assumptions, I can’t wait to get it active with him!”

Haney later told DAZN: “Ryan Garcia has called me out and I’ve called him out for years. We’re in negotiations and it could be next.

“I wanna make the biggest fights happen and I think it’s time me and Ryan get it on. More than likely, it’s next.”

Today broadcaster DAZN confirmed on social media that the fight is indeed next.

Garcia issued an ominous warning on social media about the outcome of the fight if it is allowed to continue for too long.

“Game 7 this one is for everything… it counts now Devin. This fight for me means everything,” Garcia posted to Instagram today.

“This is what I meant when I spoke on PBD [Patrick Bet-David’s] podcast. ‘I’m coming back for everything in Blood.’ I ask you guys to pray for Devin and his health. Pray his dad stops this fight.

“[Devin] will be needed to be carried out if this fight doesn’t get stopped at the appropriate time.”

Haney is a promotional free agent although he maintains a good working relationship with Matchroom Boxing. Garcia is represented by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions in what can only be described as a fractured relationship.

“We have an option on Devin to do something like first and last. We were able to put offers forward to him and match offers and etc, etc,” Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn explained to Boxing Social.

“That’s the fight for him. I’m not looking to be disruptive. Ryan has been sending me messages and I’m not negotiating or have spoke any business with him. Just he has made it clear he wants to fight Devin. And Devin is a guy I want the best for. I think that’s the right fight for him. It’s the right fight for DAZN.”