Devin Haney has publicly dismissed Ryan Garcia’s claim that he turned down a $25 million offer to fight Jake Paul, accusing his rival of lying about the supposed deal in a social media exchange that quickly caught fire across the boxing world.
The lightweight champion and Garcia have traded verbal jabs for years, but this latest exchange may be one of their most heated.
It began when Garcia spoke about his decision to reject a proposed fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, saying he turned down a massive payday to focus on chasing world titles. Haney, however, was quick to challenge the accuracy of that story.
The dispute has reignited one of boxing’s most talked-about rivalries, showing once again how personal their war of words has become outside the ring.
Ryan Garcia claims he turned down $25 million to fight Jake Paul
Speaking in a viral interview clip, Garcia said: “They offered me $20m or $25m [to fight Jake Paul], but I said no. In my heart, I wanted the world title, so I was like, ‘Eh.’ It would have sidetracked me.”
Garcia’s comments immediately drew attention for the size of the alleged offer, which would have made it one of the most lucrative non-title fights in boxing history.
The 27-year-old claimed his focus was always on championship opportunities rather than spectacle bouts, portraying himself as a fighter unwilling to compromise his sporting ambitions for a paycheck.
However, many in the boxing community questioned the legitimacy of his statement, pointing out that no credible sources or promoters have confirmed that such an offer existed.
That skepticism only intensified when Haney stepped in to publicly refute Garcia’s version of events.
Devin Haney accuses Garcia of lying about the offer
Responding on X, Haney wrote: “This dude just be lying with a straight face.. Noooo Oscar said you couldn’t.”
The post referenced Oscar De La Hoya, Garcia’s promoter under Golden Boy Promotions, suggesting it was De La Hoya who blocked the potential matchup, not Garcia himself.
Haney’s reaction was sharp and immediate, fitting the fiery tone that has defined his rivalry with Garcia over the years.
Fans quickly flooded social media with reactions, some siding with Haney’s disbelief, others defending Garcia’s account.
The exchange once again highlighted the deep animosity between the two fighters, who have yet to meet in the ring despite years of public tension.
While a potential bout between them remains one of the most anticipated in the sport, their ongoing back-and-forth continues to provide drama outside of it.
Whether Garcia’s claim was exaggerated or genuine, Haney’s quick rebuttal ensured the debate, and their rivalry remains firmly in the spotlight.
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