NEW YORK — Devin Haney returned to the ring Friday night with a calculated, footwork-heavy performance that saw him comfortably outpoint Jose Ramirez over 12 rounds — but failed to excite the crowd gathered under the iconic glow of Times Square.
The former undisputed lightweight king kept his distance and stayed disciplined throughout, banking round after round with his jab, timing, and lateral movement. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t thrilling. But it was effective.
Judges at ringside handed in lopsided cards: 119-109 (twice) and 118-110, all for Haney, who now improves to 32-0 (15 KOs, 1 NC). Ramirez drops to 29-3 (18 KOs), marking his second consecutive defeat by unanimous decision.
Cautious Comeback
It was Haney’s first appearance in over a year, following his controversial no-contest against Ryan Garcia — a bout where Haney hit the deck three times before Garcia’s drug test blew the whole result into limbo. That unfinished business still looms, as a contracted rematch with Garcia is on the table, likely for October — if Garcia gets past Rolando “Rolly” Romero.
But before thinking about redemption, Haney had to deal with Ramirez. And for 12 largely uneventful rounds, he did — without ever shifting out of second gear.
Minimal Risk, Maximum Control
Haney used every inch of the ring to avoid trading shots with Ramirez, staying elusive and neutralising any forward pressure. Ramirez, game as always, marched forward but found himself punching air for long stretches. The few clean punches he did land came in the later rounds — a flush right hand early in the 11th, and a solid left hook in round six that opened a cut beneath Haney’s eye.
Still, Haney was never in real danger. He clipped Ramirez with uppercuts and check hooks when needed, but mostly relied on his legs and sharp defensive instincts to keep the fight under control. When Ramirez surged forward, Haney clinched and reset.
It wasn’t a fight that will live long in the memory, but it was a vital win.
Bigger Battles Ahead
Haney didn’t raise his hands or smile when the final bell rang. He knew this wasn’t a statement victory — more like a business trip. But with the Garcia rematch on the horizon and championship ambitions still intact, this win keeps him firmly in the mix at the top of the 140-pound division.
What the fans — and his future opponents — will want to know is: will the real Devin Haney show up next time?
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