By Anthony George – Devin Haney has been on top of the boxing world for quite some time. After all, he won the undisputed lightweight championship, a four-belt undisputed version. On that journey, he climbed the ladder by facing veterans designed to test and extend him but not beat him. Boxing 101. The fruits of that labor were a victory against George Kambosos Jr. to become a rare four-belt champion. After Haney climbed that mountain, he defeated George in a rematch in the former champion’s backyard of Australia, earned a narrow victory against Vasyl Lomachenko-in a fight of the year candidate-and shut the very capable Regis Prograis to capture the WBC 140 pound title. Up next, Haney is set to face the volatile yet extremely popular Ryan Garcia on April 20th in Brooklyn, New York. Indeed, to look at Haney’s career up until now, one would think that The Dream is indeed coming true. This is boxing, and the narrative around Devin seems to be more negative than positive in the boxing world. Why? Let us take a look.  

One of the check marks against Haney is that he is possibly too good for his own good and… just wins, baby. While Al Davis would be proud, this approach to boxing can become a conundrum. At his best, Haney is a defensive master. Harder to find than fans during the walkout bout of a big card. Such a style can indeed pile up victories, but it may need to be more aesthetically pleasing to many boxing fans. However, apart from the two Kambosos Jr. fights, I do not think that description is fair of Haney. Haney’s resume is loaded with defensive gems, where hit and not get hit is at its best. Not boring. He also has had a couple of impressive stoppages. Although none since 2019.

Boxing fans are fickle. Therefore, a fighter with Devin’s talent is expected to be stellar each time out. When you are born at third base, in terms of boxing talent, fans expect that you hit a grand slam every time at bat. While Devin Haney gets a bad rap for being boring, it is impossible to suggest he has banged out a lot of grand slams as a champion.

Still, a steady diet of winner twelves did not hurt the popularity or narrative with the likes of Pernell Whitaker and Andre Ward. Having said that, Ward and Haney do have one thing in common. Both American fighters experienced quite a few of their fellow Americans rooting against them when they squared off against boxers from other countries. Ward against Sergey Kovalev and possibly against Carl Froch. When Haney faced both Kambosos Jr. and Lomachenko, American fans were chomping at the bit to see The Dream be put to sleep (figuratively, of course) and reacted like they had their wallet stolen when Haney was awarded a close decision against the latter. Sad, and deeply telling. 

In some ways, the negative narrative does not have much to do with the bottom line. As long as Devin Haney keeps winning the checks will keep coming. And that is what ultimately matters most.

However, everyone wants to be recognized for their efforts. Haney has put it on the line. Faced veterans when still green, gone into the backyard of other champions, faced what some people called one of the greatest boxers ever, and moved up in weight to beat a very dangerous and one of the most avoided champions. Losing very few rounds in the process. To accomplish all that at the tender age of 25 and hear more cries of ‘you suck’ than actual praise must be disappointing.

One way Haney could sway fans is by showing he could overcome fistic adversity. When he got hurt late against Jorge Linares, that did not happen despite winning. “An Old Linarrr-es” was how Teofimo Lopez Sr. described, was more of the narrative than showing resolve. You know, if an ‘old’ Linares can hurt him…

In his toughest fight to date, against Lomachenko, he did not win spectacularly enough against a much smaller opponent. That is also not going to get it done. To be fair, when you face a naturally smaller guy, especially against a fan favorite, you have virtually nothing to gain in terms of intangibles—legacy. 

Ryan Garcia, however, can move the needle in The Dream’s favor. Garcia presents as Haney’s most dangerous fight to date. Perhaps not because of what Ryan brings inside of the ring. But there is no denying this is a classic; everything to lose and nothing to gain, fight for The Dream. If he beats Ryan easily. The narrative that Garcia does not belong (to be kind) will ring loud. If Ryan happens to win, or even if Devin has a tougher-than-expected fight, the Haney Haters will have catnip on steroids to feast on. 

You may wonder why Haney would take such a fight. Well, we lied. Haney has plenty to gain in terms of dollar signs. Say what you want about Ryan; he is great for the cash register. To make a ton of money against a fighter you might not think is that big a risk- Haney is a – 500. Fighters like Haney will always sign on the dotted line for such a fight. All the other risks for Devin are still there, but it is worth it to Team Heany because of the anticipated receipts.

This fight also presents an opportunity to shine offensively because Ryan Garcia stylistically appears to have only one path of victory against Haney: to bring the fight to him and see if he can test his chin better than Linares did. If Haney dazzles and stops Ryan as a counter to that strategy…well, boxing fans also have a short memory and could be swayed in strange ways.

Of course, the biggest threat to April 20th is King Ry’s up-and-down behavior (again, to be kind). There is a Grand Moff Tarkin in the air connected to this fight that Ryan will pull out.

As of this writing, this fight is still happening. If it happens, the Dream will get some lucrative REM sleep. But what will the fans say?

Stay tuned…

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