Stepping Stone or Sign of Weakness?
Gary Russell Jr., a former WBC and WBO light welterweight champion, has aired his concerns about Devin Haney’s choice of opponent for his comeback fight in May. Haney, who is a former two-division world champion with an impressive 31-0 record and 15 knockouts, is set to face Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) in his first fight since losing to Ryan Garcia last April. Russell Jr. believes that using Ramirez as a "tune-up" opponent is a sign of weakness and that Haney’s management is trying to preserve his career rather than setting him up for a strong return.
A Risky but Logical Choice
While Russell Jr. acknowledges that the fight against Ramirez is risky, he also points out that Ramirez is a more formidable opponent than anyone Haney has beat, with the exception of Vasily Lomachenko. Haney’s loss to Garcia was a brutal affair, with Haney being dropped three times and suffering a jaw injury. The 12-round majority decision loss was a significant blow to his reputation and health. Therefore, it’s understandable why Haney’s team would be cautious about his return. The fight against Ramirez will be at welterweight, marking Haney’s debut in this weight class, despite his tendency to rehydrate up to 160 pounds. This move ensures that Haney is not immediately thrown into the lion’s den of elite 147-pound fighters.
Ramirez: A Challenging Opponent
Jose Ramirez, a 2012 U.S. Olympian, has been a formidable puncher even at 140 pounds. His transition to 147 could make him even more dangerous due to the added power. However, Russell Jr. notes that Ramirez’s recent 10-round unanimous decision loss to Arnold Barboza Jr. on November 16th was relatively close, with scores of 97-93, 96-94, and 96-94. Barboza Jr. outboxed Ramirez but faced significant pressure, which made the fight competitive. This performance suggests that Ramirez, while not unbeatable, is still a solid opponent who can push Haney.
The Welterweight Landscape
The welterweight division is not exactly brimming with available contenders, which might explain why Haney’s team chose Ramirez. Some of the notable names in the division include Eimantas Stanionis, Jaron Ennis, Brian Norman Jr., and Mario Barrios. While Ramirez would likely give these fighters a tough time, Russell Jr. believes that Haney needs to face a more challenging opponent to truly prove himself. Ennis, in particular, might be a step up in competition, but Ramirez remains a solid choice to ease Haney back into the higher weight class.
Russell Jr.’s Perspective
Gary Russell Jr. is known for his straightforward and sometimes critical commentary on the sport. In an interview with MillCity Boxing, he expressed his reservations about Haney’s choice of opponent. "With what happened with Ryan, this isn’t the guy to come back and fight," Russell Jr. said, adding, "Now, you’re supposed, ‘I’ll fight whoever now. Anybody can get it.’ But now it looks like, ‘I lost. All right, I’m going to try and fight that one over there.’ They’re trying to preserve his career." Russell Jr. understands the need to protect a boxer’s career, especially after a significant loss and injury, but he believes that coming back with a less challenging opponent can be seen as running from tougher competition.
The Future of Haney’s Career
Russell Jr. suggests that Haney and his team are taking a pragmatic approach to his career. If the goal is to keep Haney’s head high and set him up for lucrative rematches, such as the one with Ryan Garcia in October and a potential bout with Teofimo Lopez in February 2026, then choosing Ramirez might be the right move. However, if Haney truly aims to reclaim his status as a top fighter, he needs to face tougher competition. "If you plan on being the big dog, then nah," Russell Jr. said, indicating that Haney should be aiming for more challenging fights. He recognizes that Haney is essentially ignoring public opinion to focus on his career goals, but the choice of opponent will undoubtedly be scrutinized by fans and critics alike.
