He was openly drinking and partying in the build-up to the bout – which he initially won on points after dropping Haney three times.
But Garcia’s career came crashing down when he failed a drug test for ostarine – known to boost muscle growth.
The American protested his innocence but accepted a one-year suspension – during which his life spiralled out of control.
“I’m a creature of habit and going into the Devin Haney fight, I don’t know why that just nothing affected me,” Garcia said.
“Like the drinking did not affect me. It was very weird. So then after that you could imagine how much cocky energy.
“I did that and I still whipped his ass. And then I thought to myself, ‘Damn, they really scammed me.’
“Like, I don’t know if it’s because the things I was talking about. All of a sudden I tested positive.
“So I went into a very dark place, then it went dark. Then I just was abusing everything.
“I just was humbled in many ways within myself and I learned a lot of lessons like your body’s a temple.
“God gave you something you gotta protect it and definitely learned my lesson. Definitely got humbled by that.
“And I’m so happy just being sober and just clear minded fresh and showing these young fighters, don’t do that, that’s not good!
“I may have done it once but I don’t know how I did it and that cannot be replicated do not do it. God’s got a plan for everybody and it’s to be of sober mind.”
Garcia, 27, passed tests in the build-up to his fight with Haney, also 27, but failed in samples taken the day before and of the Brooklyn bout.
He returned in May in defeat to Rolly Romero, 30, where the years of abusing his body took its toll.
And Garcia believes he only rescued his career by putting down the bottle and getting sober.
“If I didn’t go through that Rolly fight, who knows if I ever would have stopped.
“But God works in ways that you cannot imagine, so I’m just grateful and, ready to show everybody the best version of myself come Saturday night.”
Garcia still wants to rematch Haney – but his rival has raised concerns over drug testing.
“He don’t want that,” Garcia said. “He’s been saying like, ‘Oh no, I don’t wanna fight him.’
“It’s like, ‘Alright, bro, you don’t wanna fight.’ F***, I ain’t gonna force you to fight, s***. Leave your ass over there. We’re not worried.
