Haney's Cautious Approach Leads to Wide Decision Win Over Ramirez in Times Square
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 May 2025
Devin Haney, perhaps still carrying the lingering effects of his last bout against Ryan Garcia, employed a cautious and evasive strategy to secure a wide unanimous decision victory over Jose Ramirez in the second main event at Times Square in New York on Friday night (Saturday in Manila). While Haney retained his undefeated record, the fight lacked the anticipated fireworks, with the champion prioritizing his own safety over engaging in sustained exchanges with the determined Ramirez.
Throughout the twelve rounds, Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) showcased his exceptional footwork, utilizing the ring to dance around and skillfully evade the advances of Ramirez (29-3, 18 KOs). The Avenal, California native often found himself chasing shadows, unable to effectively cut off the ring or consistently trap the elusive Haney. While Ramirez diligently stalked his opponent, his efforts to land meaningful blows were largely thwarted by Haney's lateral movement and ability to slip punches.
Haney's offensive output was measured, with the Las Vegas resident content to throw sporadic combinations and single shots before quickly retreating out of harm's way. The contrast in approach was evident, with Ramirez pressing the action while Haney seemed primarily focused on negating his opponent's power and maintaining distance. The crowd, initially buzzing with excitement for the anticipated welterweight clash, grew increasingly restless as the fight unfolded into a tactical but largely uneventful affair.
The punch statistics painted a clear picture of the fight's dynamic. Over the full twelve rounds, the two fighters combined to throw just over 500 punches, a low number for a bout of this duration. Haney's accuracy and defensive prowess were reflected in his landing 70 punches compared to Ramirez's 40, highlighting the champion's effective but arguably uninspiring strategy.
In the end, the judges' scorecards reflected Haney's control of the fight, albeit in a manner that left many ringside wanting more action. Mark Consentino and Glenn Feldman both scored the bout 119-109, while Kevin Morgan saw it slightly closer at 118-110, all awarding the victory to Devin Haney.
While Haney secured another win and maintained his unblemished record, questions will undoubtedly linger about his willingness to engage after the knockdowns he suffered in his previous outing. For Jose Ramirez, despite his relentless effort and clear desire to engage, his inability to effectively corner and land cleanly on the slippery Haney proved to be his undoing. The victory for Haney most likely sets up a return bout against Ryan Garcia, but the manner of his win in Times Square will likely be a talking point amongst boxing fans.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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