Devin Haney faced off against Jose Ramirez in the co-main event held at Times Square in New York City. The bout, available on DAZN pay-per-view, saw Haney secure a victory after twelve rounds.
Devin Haney entered the fight with a record of 31-0, 1 NC. This marked his return following the controversial April 2024 bout against Ryan Garcia. Originally a majority decision loss for Haney, the result was later overturned to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. This decision reinstated Haney`s undefeated record, leading to Garcia`s suspension.
He faced Jose Ramirez, holding a record of 29-2 prior to this contest. Ramirez, a former light welterweight champion, aimed to rebound after a recent loss to Arnold Barboza. The bout was contested at a 144-pound catchweight.
Fight Summary: Round by Round
Round 1: The round began cautiously with an early clinch. Haney displayed significant movement, circling frequently, while throwing very few punches. Ramirez struggled to find his range. Haney landed one of the few jabs thrown. Score: 10-9 Haney.
Round 2: Haney continued his movement-heavy approach. Ramirez`s output remained low. Haney landed a good jab, avoided a punch to initiate a clinch, and also landed a left hook and a right hand. Commentary criticized the slow pace, noting Ramirez was even less active than Haney. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 20-18 Haney.
Round 3: Haney landed a lead left hook and a counter left, which seemed to affect Ramirez. He followed up with a quick combination and another right hand. Ramirez attempted to pressure but didn`t throw punches effectively. Ramirez landed a left hook as Haney ducked in. Haney finished with a right and a solid jab. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 30-27 Haney.
Round 4: Haney maintained extensive side-to-side movement with minimal punching. Ramirez`s output was still low. Haney landed a jab and a left hook, but Ramirez seemed to anticipate these power shots. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 40-36 Haney.
Round 5: The first minute was very slow. Haney continued circling. He landed a 1-2 combination and a quick left hand. A brief tie-up interrupted the pattern of ducking and dodging. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 50-45 Haney.
Round 6: Ramirez showed slightly more initiative, throwing a couple of punches, although they didn`t land initially. Haney landed a sharp counter right. Ramirez began pawing with his jab and landed a nice body shot, following up with another. Haney responded with a right to the body. Ramirez landed a right hand and pressured Haney into a corner, finding some limited success in what was described as an “ugly” but effective approach for him. Score: 10-9 Ramirez. Overall: 59-55 Haney.
Round 7: Action was minimal at the start of the round. Haney tested Ramirez with his jab and landed a quick two-punch combination. It largely resembled a staring contest. Ramirez attempted a lunging right hand. Haney closed the round with a brief burst of activity. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 69-64 Haney.
Round 8: Haney continued his circling strategy. He landed a good jab when Ramirez attempted to advance. Haney also landed a lead left hook and a three-punch combination. Ramirez landed one body shot after a separation. Haney became busier in the final 30 seconds. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 79-73 Haney.
Round 9: Haney started strongly with a good combination, though follow-up was minimal aside from a tie-up. Haney landed a right hand that visibly affected Ramirez. He also landed a lead left hook. Ramirez offered little offense, landing only a left hook later in the round and a jab to the body. Haney used his jab effectively to set up a right hand. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 89-82 Haney.
Round 10: Ramirez walked Haney down, but Haney primarily tied him up. The round was largely uneventful. Haney scored with a right hand and short punches inside during clinches. Ramirez landed a jab. Haney landed a punch and then avoided a Ramirez flurry. Ramirez landed another punch during a more aggressive moment. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 99-91 Haney.
Round 11: Ramirez advanced, and Haney pushed him away from the corner. The fight continued as an intense staring contest punctuated by moments of action. Ramirez threw punches, but Haney effectively ducked and avoided. Ramirez landed to the body. Haney connected with a 1-2 combination and jabs while circling. A fast counter right from Haney caught Ramirez off balance. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 109-100 Haney.
Round 12: As the final round began, commentary pondered if Haney`s performance might impact future opportunities like a Garcia rematch, given the lack of action. Haney continued his significant circling and dodging whenever Ramirez closed distance, doing the “bare minimum” to stay safe. Ramirez flicked out ineffective punches. Haney landed a jab late. Both fighters prioritized movement and defense, getting their “cardio in”. Score: 10-9 Haney. Overall: 119-109 Haney.
Official Result: The judges delivered a unanimous decision in favor of Devin Haney. The scorecards read 119-109, 119-109, and 118-110.
