Devin Haney claimed a unanimous decision victory over Jose Ramirez in New York`s Times Square last night, in a fight characterized by Haney`s highly defensive and cautious approach. The bout, which served as a co-main event, featured limited engaging action and is unlikely to be a fan favorite for rewatching.
The scorecards heavily favored Haney, reflecting his control from a distance rather than offensive output. Two judges, Glenn Feldman and Mark Consentino, scored the fight 119-109, giving Ramirez only one round. The third judge, Kevin Morgan, saw it slightly closer at 118-110 for Haney. While defensive skill is a key aspect of boxing, Haney`s performance lacked the excitement typically expected from a headliner.
The low volume of connecting punches highlighted the passive nature of the contest. Haney landed just 70 punches throughout the twelve rounds, while Ramirez, despite often pressing forward and following Haney around the ring, only managed 40 landed blows. Coming off a year-long layoff and the controversial no-contest result against Ryan Garcia in April, Haney appeared hesitant early on.
Haney largely maintained this reserved stance, frequently using a tentative jab to keep Ramirez at bay. Ramirez attempted to work on the inside but failed to land punches of significance. Commentators voiced increasing bewilderment and frustration with Haney`s tactics, noting his tendency towards highly defensive performances in the past.
With this win, Haney`s professional record improves to 32-0 with 15 knockouts, alongside his one no-contest. Jose Ramirez`s record now stands at 29-3 with 18 knockouts. The fight proved forgettable for viewers and participants alike, with referee David Fields having very little action to supervise.
Veteran boxing analyst Jim Lampley captured the sentiment of many watching, quipping, “He’s called The Dream, and Devin probably put a few people to sleep.”
