Devin Haney, WBC junior welterweight champion and former undisputed lightweight champion, recently announced a two-year hiatus from boxing following his controversial April 2024 fight against Ryan Garcia. The bout, held at the Barclays Center, saw Garcia winning by a narrow majority decision. Shortly afterward, Garcia tested positive for ostarine, a banned performance-enhancing drug (PED), which sparked outrage among Haney’s team and fans. This situation led Haney to step back from the sport, pending what he sees as a fair resolution of Garcia's doping case and a potential rematch on equal terms.
Haney’s decision was not only motivated by the controversy surrounding Garcia’s PED test but also reflected a deeper frustration with his recent career trajectory. The WBC had assigned Haney to fight Sandor Martin, with Top Rank winning the promotional rights to the purse bid, but the purse value was reportedly low compared to Haney’s usual paydays. Haney’s team saw this as undermining his status as a champion, and he opted to decline, expressing disappointment at the terms. Haney's financial standing from recent high-profile bouts—reportedly over $40 million earned from his last two fights—may have made it easier for him to decide on a break. In a Twitter post, Haney stated he intended to “spend some money, travel the world” and return to the ring once he feels ready to get back to competing with the best.
This break, however, has prompted mixed reactions from the boxing community. Many observers argue that by taking time away, Haney risks diminishing his market value and missing the chance to improve his skills and expand his fan base. At 25, he is entering what could be considered the prime years of his career, and some critics worry that Haney is letting a personal vendetta affect his professional momentum. In boxing, extended absences can impact fighters’ abilities to stay competitive at the highest level, and while Haney may be seeking justice, critics say he might sacrifice valuable in-ring experience by waiting for Garcia.
Haney’s father and trainer, Bill Haney, has reinforced his son’s decision, saying they are awaiting the outcome of Garcia’s doping case before entering into further fight negotiations. Team Haney has even called for his son’s record to be amended to reflect Garcia’s alleged advantage in their fight. Further, Haney has become an advocate for stricter anti-doping measures in boxing, proposing Olympic-style drug testing to level the playing field and prevent future disputes. His stance highlights broader concerns in the boxing world about PED use and the regulations governing it.
As fans debate Haney’s decision, some believe he should draw inspiration from all-time great Floyd Mayweather, who maintained an active fight schedule throughout his prime, building both his skills and fan engagement. Mayweather's consistent bouts, even with lesser-known opponents, kept him in peak condition and helped secure his legacy. Whether Haney will reconsider his extended layoff or stay committed to his hiatus remains uncertain. Still, his career path is now intertwined with the outcome of Garcia’s suspension and the evolving discourse around PEDs in boxing.
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