Potential Haney v Ramirez Fight Brewing
In recent weeks and months, many throughout the boxing world have poked fun at WBC world lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (24-0, 15 KO’s) for receiving a world title without defeating the actual champion. Admittedly, there are few who doubt his clear and evident talent. However, there are those who think he is still unproven at the most elite level.
This also appears to be the thought process of WBC and WBO world super lightweight champion Jose Carlos Ramirez (25-0, 17 KO’s). Ramirez was last in the ring scoring a tremendous sixth round TKO of Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (27-1-3, 18 KO’s) last July in a significant unification bout.
Ramirez conducted a recent interview with Chris Mannix, in which he expressed his belief that the younger Haney would not be able to competently compete with him over a full twelve-round bout. In his estimation, if they ever got in ring, The Dream’s shallow professional experience would be immediately apparent.
“I think there is some good 135’s who are already looking forward to moving up to 140, but I am not interested in fighting those guys just because I have bigger challenges for myself. I think a guy like Crawford will bring the best out of me. Instead of fighting a guy like Teofimo or Devin Haney [..] if I was to fight them next, I don’t think they would last twelve rounds with me.”
THE CLAP BACK
Naturally, when Haney was made aware of Ramirez’s statement’s, he was quick to respond. The Dream kept it short and simple, but made reference to a sparring session they had where he alleges that he gave Ramirez all he could handle.
WILL THEY COLLIDE?
This would-be fight is a very interesting possibility. Haney, who is in need of a dance partner, continues to desperately prove his worth in the ring against a certified fighter. Provided that a prizefight was contracted, and Haney prevailed, there would be little people could continue to say to detract from his legitimacy as a top level boxer.
One other potential obstacle that may be problematic here is establishing what division they would clash in. Although, it should be noted that Haney is a big lightweight and has already flirted with the idea of moving up if he could not secure a significant fight at lightweight. Taking his size into account, it’s not a far-fetched idea to speculate that Haney could go up and fight Ramirez in his own 140lbs landscape.
Once again, if successful following this plan, Haney could walk away from the Ramirez fight as a simultaneous two-division champion. Or, Ramirez might just validate his statements and forcefully illustrate that The Dream really didn’t have any business in the ring with him in the first place. In either case, fights fans would be gifted one hell of an action-fight!
By: Bakari Simpson
