Trainer Abel Sanchez is confident that Jose Ramirez is set to prove a point about Devin Haney’s true standing in the boxing world. This intriguing welterweight clash is lined up for May 2nd, with the fight taking place on the same night as Ryan Garcia’s main event at Times Square, New York City.
Ramirez, who once held the WBC and WBO light welterweight titles, boasts a record of 29 wins and just 2 losses, with 18 of those victories coming by knockout. Sanchez believes that Ramirez’s extensive experience, relentless pressure, and high work rate will pose a significant challenge for Haney, who remains unbeaten with a spotless 31-0 record, featuring 15 knockouts. While Abel admits Haney is the favorite, he wouldn’t be entirely shocked if Ramirez, guided by trainer Robert Garcia, pulls off a surprising win.
### Haney’s Comeback
Haney is currently facing some hurdles, coming off a year-long break following a tough unanimous decision loss to Ryan Garcia last April. The question hanging in the air is whether that loss has taken a toll on Haney’s durability, as he was shaken up by almost everything Garcia threw at him. Should these issues persist, Ramirez will be ready to exploit them.
“This matchup is exciting, and Jose is about to reveal something about Devin’s current level,” Sanchez said in a conversation with Fight Hub TV. “While I expect Devin to edge out a victory, Jose will certainly challenge him in ways he doesn’t foresee.”
Haney’s inactivity might indicate self-awareness of his current limits. The defeat at Garcia’s hands last year was likely a grounding experience, impacting Haney’s confidence significantly. When a boxer goes through such a humbling moment, it’s hard to shake it off.
Haney has probably been haunted by the echoes of that fight ever since and, had his confidence remained unscathed, he’d likely have been eager to return to the ring sooner to reclaim his position and earnings.
“I doubt the face-off with Ryan will impact him much now. Sure, Haney took some hard hits, but Ryan packs a punch. Moving forward, Don’t be surprised if he tries focusing on improving his reach and defense. I still think Jose is going to give him a run for his money, similar to what he did against [Arnold] Barboza.”
In their bout last November in Riyadh, Ramirez landed heavy blows on Barboza that could easily damage Haney and possibly send him to the canvas multiple times.
### Ramirez’s Strategy
While not as fast as Ryan, Ramirez delivers punches with formidable force. His continuous onslaught makes them even more daunting. He’s like a B-29 bomber, relentlessly pressing his opponent, and if Haney’s chin remains suspect, this could spell trouble for him on May 2nd. Ramirez is swinging with full force, determined to penetrate any remaining weaknesses in Haney’s defenses.
“He’ll expose Devin’s real standing. He could reach the levels of Gervonta, Shakur, or Lamont Roach one day — but not yet. The real test lies with Robert Garcia’s strategy,” explained Sanchez.
Reflecting on the recent match between Rayo and Russell, Sanchez anticipates that Robert Garcia will intricately plan Ramirez’s approach against Haney, given Ramirez’s experience surpasses that of Rayo.
“If Robert devises a play that Ramirez sticks to, a knockout victory isn’t off the table. However, I still foresee Devin clinching a win, albeit through a narrow decision,” added Abel.
With anticipation building, fans are eagerly waiting to see how this fight unfolds. It’s poised to be a critical moment for both fighters as they step into the limelight on such a prominent stage.
