From all of the high-profiled fighters, one of the most significant conundrums that remains to be solved in 2025 is the curious case of Devin Haney, and how the former undisputed lightweight champion will continue his career following the beating he absorbed in April courtesy of Ryan Garcia.
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs), Ring Magazine’s No. 1 ranked fighter at 140 pounds and No. 10 on the Pound for Pound list, has not fought since an overweight and enigmatic Garcia dropped him three times and scored a majority decision win.
The result was later overturned to a no contest and Garcia was suspended a year due to testing positive for ostarine, a banned performance-enhancing drug.
Hall of Fame fighter turned commentator Timothy Bradley Jr. says Haney, 26, needs to rebuild from the ground up following the Garcia loss.
“Devin Haney, you want to get back? Man, go back to your roots, bro,” said Bradley. “Go back to where you started from. Where did you start? You started in Mexico. Go back and get one of those guys out of there, man. Go back there and start there. Go back to your roots. Get some of that humble pie. If you go back to where you started, you’re going to come back on top.”
Haney built his career in the Mexican boxing circuit from 2015 to 2017, making his pro debut in the country and going on to fight 10 out of his first 15 bouts in Tijuana against unheralded journeyman contenders.
He soon graduated to grand stages across in America and by 2019 he was the WBC lightweight champion. By 2022, Haney became the undisputed lightweight champion by twice beating George Kambosos Jr. in Australia. In May 2023, Haney headlined his first pay-per-view fight and sneaked by Vasiliy Lomachenko via split decision.
Haney moved up to 140 pounds in December 2023 and dominated Regis Prograis via unanimous decision for the WBC title. But in April, Haney’s career was turned on its head when he met Garcia.
Haney is currently the WBC’s junior welterweight champion in recess.
Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for Ring Magazine. Follow him on X and Instagram.