Devin Haney Told To Avoid Taking Too Much Time Off – ‘He’s In His Prime’

Devin Haney has been advised not to take too much time off following his Ryan Garcia fight. 

That is according to Jeff Mayweather. Haney suffered a majority decision loss to Garcia, only for it to become a no-contest after Ryan tested positive for Ostarine. Garcia has been banned for one year, leaving Haney in a tough position. He was dropped three times in the fight and suffered the most damage in his career. He then became the WBC Junior Welterweight Champion in Recess after not going ahead with his mandatory Sandor Martin.

Only Top Rank made a purse bid for that fight with a $2.42 million bid, showing Haney’s commercial value had dropped. Devin is now suing Garcia for loss of earnings, although he hopes to have the rematch once Ryan returns. In the meantime, he has suggested taking some time off.

And yet, there are still big fights for Haney. He could pursue fights against Teofimo Lopez (WBO Champion) and Liam Paro (IBF Champion) at 140. Since Haney is 25 and heading into his prime, it is vital he remains active. But by taking some time off, it would allow him to recuperate. However, Mayweather has urged him to make the right decision. 

Mayweather Reacts

“He’s in his prime. I don’t think he should take that much time off. I know he’s going to be training and still some kind of shape. Still, two years is a long time. You’re taking two years off only to fight Ryan when there are a lot of people in line waiting to get their chance to fight for a world title. Obviously, it’s going to be in your head [the loss], but it’s going to be more in your head if you take that long just to try and right that wrong that happened to you. That’s a long time,” Mayweather said

Those comments have credence since the Garcia rematch will always be there. Even if Haney loses in between a potential Garcia rematch, Ryan is incentivised to take it. The levels of Ostarine found in his system were not consistent with PED usage. He was also not in the best shape of his career, gassing out in between rounds. If Garcia maintains that it was not intentional usage, he will back himself to beat Haney in a rematch. The fight will earn both boxers a massive amount of money. Unlike Garcia, Haney can sharpen his skills in the ring before taking on Garcia at some point next year. 

“I don’t think it’s wise to take two years off just to wait on somebody that beat you. It don’t take two years. You’re waiting on a guy [Ryan] that fought you for your world title. You didn’t fight him for his world title. So why are you waiting for a guy who got caught cheating and fought you? You may fight him again and he might use the same thing or something different. I guess they won’t have Scooter this time,” Mayweather added 

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