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Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How did Devin Haney become a boxing villain?
Devin Haney is hardly the first boxer to lean into the villain role. It's not the path he chose, but he's opted to play the hand he was dealt. That was on full display during an open workout Tuesday, when Haney (31-0, 1 NC 15 KOs) raced to the corner of the ring, mounted the ropes and reveled in the boos wafting his direction. Advertisement The undefeated former two-division champion has grown accustomed to his place among boxing's most despised. A he admitted at the start of the press tour ahead of this weekend's DAZN Pay-Per-View from Times Square in New York: 'It's easier to play the villain. … It pays better.' The obvious question is how does an unbeaten, well-mannered boxer who is among the best in the sport and a proven clean athlete find himself in such a position? Weirdly, it was a role forced upon him in the aftermath of his clash with Ryan Garcia last April at Barclays Center in New York. Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) initially claimed a majority decision win, which was changed to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for ostarine in testing contracted through Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Advertisement A separate test from a sample collected by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) also revealed the presence of the same banned substance. Devin Haney was welcomed by boos during a media workout ahead of Friday's welterweight bout against Jose Ramirez. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/) (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty Images) The incident in question capped a months-long stretch of outrageous behavior exhibited by Garcia throughout the buildup to their fight. After weeks of putting the event in jeopardy, Garcia then showed up to the official pre-fight weigh-in more than three pounds over the 140-pound limit, which meant Haney's WBC junior welterweight title was no longer at stake. An investigation conducted by the NYSAC surrounding the positive drug tests resulted in a one-year suspension for Garcia, plus the maximum allowable $10,000 fine and the complete forfeiture of his reported $1,200,000 fight purse. Those terms were part of a legal settlement reached with Garcia, but the punishment didn't placate Haney. Advertisement 'It means nothing if a proven cheater can just get a one-year ban,' Haney previously told Uncrowned. Worse, Garcia has emerged as the far more celebrated figure. His status only grew after Haney filed a lawsuit alleging fraud, battery and breach of contract. After filing the suit, Haney was ridiculed by Garcia, his legion of fans and even Hall of Fame boxer turned promoter Oscar De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions represents Garcia. Now Garcia will face Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) in a secondary WBA welterweight title fight atop the four-fight PPV event. Haney is relegated to the co-feature slot, where he meets fellow former champ Jose Ramirez. The bout is contracted for 144 pounds, which technically marks the welterweight debut for both boxers. The event is designed to lead to a Garcia-Haney rematch later this year, likely to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The location is in play because of Turki Alalshikh, the driving force behind Riyadh Season's emergence in boxing who is financing this weekend's Times Square event. Advertisement In fact, Garcia never even bothered to comply with at least one key term of the settlement with NYSAC — random drug testing throughout his suspension — until he joined forces with Alalshikh. One staple of Riyadh Season events is its consistent use of VADA testing for all involved fighters. Garcia agreed, but also made a point to double up and enroll in testing as conducted through the California State Athletic Commission. It proved to be his wisest move, as it helped satisfy the terms required by NYSAC to be removed from suspension. Still, Garcia remains critical of an agency most others consider to be the gold standard of drug testing in the sport. Advertisement He's previously claimed to be the victim of a conspiracy, given Haney's close relationship with SNAC founder Victor Conte, who also founded the infamous BALCO organization implicated in a 2005 steroid scandal that resulted in a brief prison sentence for Conte. Conte served as an adviser in the early formation of VADA, and remains a vocal supporter of the program. There were also claims of contamination from a supplement Garcia reportedly used during training camp. His team ordered testing on an opened container of the supplement, and the results showed trace amounts of the same banned substance found in Garcia's system. For many boxing fans, this was all the excuse they needed to exonerate Garcia in the court of public opinion. They've yet to warm up to anything Haney has to say, however, despite the fact the 26-year-old is enrolled in year-round testing. 'The importance of being a 365 athlete is to show that we're clean no matter the circumstance,' Bill Haney, Devin's father, trainer and manager told Uncrowned. 'We're not cycling and just waiting for a fight to get signed to begin testing. We are here to be the gold standard of boxing. Advertisement 'Floyd Mayweather came along and changed the way things are done in this sport. That became the Floyd era. It's important for what we call 'The Devin Haney Era,' whether you like it or not. During a time when everyone was talking about sides of the street, we were the ones that worked with everyone to get all of the fights we wanted and prove that we're clean while doing it.' But highlighting their focus on doing things the right way has fueled a faction of the sport that loves to hate the Haneys. Those same fans continue to blindly support Garcia, no matter the evidence against him. The lawsuit undoubtedly provided more harm than good in terms of public opinion. Garcia added fuel to the fire by mocking Haney's claim he was assaulted in a boxing ring. Ryan Garcia has become a fan favorite in spite of, or maybe because of, his record of very public controversies. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/) (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty Images) 'I'm being sued for doing my job," Garcia said at the time in a social-media post to his more than 12 million followers on Instagram. "This fight has been a Netflix documentary, but this right here is the finale. Your honor, he simply struggles with left hook syndrome." Advertisement While the no-contest result allowed Haney to keep his WBC 140-pound belt (which he subsequently vacated) and his unbeaten record, he was dropped from pound-for-pound lists. He continues to field criticism for his perceived lack of adjustments in the fight, particularly against Garcia's left hook, which was the primary weapon in Haney's three trips to the canvas. An alternate theory is offered by the other side of that equation. 'You ask why Devin can't block a left hook,' Bill Haney said. 'We reply that Ryan's power was a direct result of the drugs, of the ostarine. Ryan was a mental patient, he was on drugs, on steroids, drinking. He lied repeatedly to everyone, including his own followers … and he's somehow the f*****g hero in all this. 'Now all of a sudden, he's perfectly sane? If you lie to us once, it's shame on you. If you lie to us again and we fall for it, then shame on us. So we don't believe anything that he's saying now. The only thing we believe about Ryan is that he's a liar.' Advertisement For both Haney and Garcia, the first step toward the truth comes this weekend. Neither has fought since their meeting last April, and both have something to prove. Garcia wants to prove he can win clean under the scrutiny of extensive testing. Haney wants to prove he's better than he looked against Garcia, regardless of what was in his opponent's bloodstream. To his credit, the younger Haney is prepared to leave the past well behind him. 'I've been in denial over the things I was doing wrong,' Devin said during an interview at Tuesday's open workout. 'Ryan did things like take PEDs, but I still didn't fight a perfect fight. I had to go back to the drawing board and correct things, and you guys will see that. 'Whatever happened in that fight happened, now it's time for me to move on.' The question remains, however, whether he can get back into the good graces of those fans who are often too unforgiving of the sport's victims — and too obsessed with its more polarizing figures.
The Guardian
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn: boxing updates and undercard news
The Guardian will have round-by-round updates, analysis and instant reaction in this space. In the UK and Ireland, the fight will be broadcast on DAZN Pay-Per-View at a cost of £19.99 for existing subscribers or £27.98 for new subscribers. Sky Sports Box Office will also carry it for £19.95. talkSPORT Radio will provide live audio commentary for free. In the US and Canada, the fight will be broadcast on DAZN Pay-Per-View at a cost of $24.99. DAZN is streaming the fight live in more than 200 countries. Share How to watch or stream Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here's Barney Ronay's take on tonight's grudge match. Share
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
How to watch Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn live in UK on DAZN Pay-Per-View as boxing rivals are finally set to fight this Saturday night
Calling all boxing fans! This Saturday night, two of Britain's most famous fighting families collide once again, as Chris Eubank Jr takes on Conor Benn in a blockbuster bout that's been years in the making. Set to broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, the showdown promises to deliver fireworks as the sons of two legendary rivals finally face off, settling a score that started way back in the early '90s when their famous fathers clashed in two of British boxing's most iconic fights. Chris Eubank Jr Fights Connor Benn live on DAZN Pay-Per-View This Saturday night, Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn reignite a legendary rivalry in a highly anticipated showdown. You can watch it live on DAZN Pay-Per-View with multiple viewing options including expert commentary and The Ring Magazine watch-along. PPV buyers also get seven days of free access to DAZN's full platform. In the UK, the fight is priced at £19.95. Over in the US, you'll be paying $24.99, while in Europe, you'll pay €24.99. £19.95 Shop It's been a long road to the ring for this modern-day grudge match. The original Eubank Jr. vs. Benn fight was scrapped back in 2022 after Benn failed two drug tests. But now, with both fighters cleared, focused, and hungry for legacy-defining glory, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is finally happening – and it's set to be a night to remember. Taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, this Saturday April 26, the card is shaping up to be a celebration of domestic boxing talent. Headlined by the main event between Eubank Jr. and Benn, the undercard is packed with four fights that promise to deliver action from start to finish. How to watch the fight You can catch all the action live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, broadcasting in more than 200 countries around the world. Whether you're watching from your sofa in London, New York, or anywhere in between, DAZN has you covered. Aside from the high-definition broadcast and expert commentary, watching with DAZN offers a choice of viewing options, including traditional commentary or a watch along with The Ring Magazine. And here's a little bonus: when you purchase the Pay-Per-View, you'll get seven days of free access to DAZN's full platform. That includes documentaries, weekly magazine shows, live fight watch-alongs and press conferences. In the UK, the fight is priced at £19.95. Over in the US, you'll be paying $24.99, while in Europe, you'll pay €24.99.
