Devin Haney’s father, Bill Haney, says his son is the “Face of Boxing,” and they’re going after Ryan Garcia for his PED use for their April 20 fight for “the good of the sport”.
It’s unclear whose idea it was that Haney lost to Ryan, but this move will likely backfire without substantial gain. If it was done with the idea of getting more money in addition to getting a rematch, that may not work. If Ryan is bitter about being sued, is he going to throw Haney a bone by giving him a rematch? I don’t see it.
For all purposes, the trial is Haney’s revenge because you can shoot yourself in the foot by choosing to go the legal route. I see it as an either or situation. Either take the rematch or do it, but you can’t have both. It is short-sighted.
If the money Haney gets for his lawsuit is more than he would have gotten in a rematch, it might be worth it to him, but it might not. I wonder how much Haney hopes to achieve for the cause. $10 million? It doesn’t seem well thought out.
However, the popularity hit from fan reaction to Haney’s lawsuit makes it a waste of time because it’s more important.
Bill Haney’s comments in an interview with Boxingscene that Devin is the “face of boxing” are hard to swallow. To fill this kind of talent, you have to entertain and produce results, and his fighting style is not favorable for fans.
Basically, Haney is a light finesse fighter in the Shakur-esque mold who jabs, holds and moves. Those types of fighters are a dime a dozen in the sport, especially when they hit as hard as he does.
On Friday, Haney filed a lawsuit against Ryan Garcia alleging battery, fraud and unjust enrichment for their fight last April, which may hurt his popularity far more than his loss to Ryan.
Devin’s loss to Ryan, his questionable win over Vasily Lomachenko, and his fight against Jorge Linares showed that he is nowhere near being a top guy. He is seen as a fighter who beat George Kambosos Jr, a weak champion of three belts, and faded 35-year-old Regis Prograis.
Haney is not seen as the face of the sport after his performance against Ryan when he was beaten and seemingly saved by the referee in the seventh round. Devin had his 15 minutes of fame as a brief champion at 135 and 140, but that moment has passed.
When he gets back in the ring, he’s likely to move up to 147 because he’s gotten too big for the 140 lb. division. It will be tough for Haney at welterweight because they all hit hard, and they have to prey on a non-puncher with a history of injuries.
The sharks in the welterweight division will be waiting for Haney when he moves, and it could be bad for him. That’s why it’s confusing why he’s throwing away that mega payday he’d get in a rematch with Ryan by starting a lawsuit. It doesn’t make sense.
