“Victor Conte ain’t here. God rest his soul.” It was a brief reply, and it landed with intent.
Garcia’s April 2024 win over Haney was overturned to a no-contest after he tested positive for Ostarine. The result followed him for months. By mentioning Conte, a name long associated with performance-enhancing drug scandals, Lopez steered the discussion back to that chapter instead of breaking down how a second fight might unfold at welterweight.
It cast doubt on that first win without saying the words. Then Garcia went out and fought like that.
Against Barrios, he stayed disciplined. He worked behind a steady jab and controlled range for long stretches. He stayed within his jab and didn’t swing wildly when openings appeared. The power showed up in spots, but it came within the structure. The performance looked measured and composed across rounds.
If that version appears in a rematch with Haney, the fight would hinge on adjustments rather than old testing headlines.
Haney’s two wins since the overturned loss have not settled the debate. Against Brian Norman Jr. and Jose Ramirez, he relied heavily on holding, lateral movement, and single jabs. The defense remained sharp. He took the rounds through control. The combinations came in short stretches. There was little sustained pressure.
Lopez chose to point backward when asked about a second fight. Garcia, on Saturday, gave people something current to judge. If they meet again at 147, the outcome will turn on execution over twelve rounds, not on a name dropped in a hallway interview.
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