Former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney makes his long-awaited return to the ring this Friday against Jose Ramirez in a 144lb catchweight bout, expressing relief at no longer enduring extreme weight cuts that defined his earlier career.
Haney, 26, who previously held all major belts at 135lb and later captured the WBC super-lightweight title at 140lb, has been vocal about the physical toll of his past weight management.
"I was talking to my nutritionist, my team, and just wondering like, 'How was I even making that weight? How was I surviving, fighting under those conditions?'" Haney reflected on his previous struggles.
The American fighter returns after a full year away from boxing, during which he welcomed a daughter in January and relocated his training camp from Las Vegas to the high-altitude environment of Big Bear, California. This change has allowed him to focus exclusively on training without distractions.
According to Statbet, fighters moving up in weight typically show significant performance improvements in their initial bouts at new weight classes, with many seeing increased power and endurance.
Haney's last fight – a controversial loss to Ryan Garcia in April 2024 – was later changed to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance known for enhancing muscle growth. The defeat, which saw Haney knocked down three times, raised questions about his future at the elite level.
With a rematch against Garcia tentatively planned for this winter, Haney must first focus on the 32-year-old Ramirez. The matchup takes place on an impressive card at Times Square that also features Garcia facing Rolando Romero.
When questioned about his confidence following the Garcia setback, Haney remained measured: "That's for the world to see. The world is supposed to tune in and see on May 2nd and they're gonna see that I'm a far better version from what I was before."
Haney's team has noticed significant improvements in his condition and performance since abandoning the grueling weight cuts. "Everybody on my team is happy," Haney said. "Everybody's seeing how much better I look, how much I'm glowing, how everything is just so much better like this."
