It’s payback time for Devin Haney. After silencing his critics with a dominant performance against Brian Norman Jr., the 27-year-old has finally proven himself as a champion in a third weight class. But it wasn’t an easy journey for Haney, who had to endure constant doubt and criticism from the boxing community.
Bob Arum and Tim Bradley were among those who openly criticized Haney, questioning his skills and abilities as a boxer. But instead of letting their words bring him down, Haney used it as motivation to prove them wrong.
In a recent interview, Haney’s father, Bill Haney, responded to the criticism in an unconventional way. He said, “Devin doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. He’s already proven himself as a champion in three weight classes. Those who doubt him are just jealous of his success.”
These words may seem harsh, but they hold a lot of truth. Haney has indeed proven himself as a champion, and his record speaks for itself. With an impressive record of 26 wins and 0 losses, including 15 knockouts, Haney has established himself as one of the best boxers in the world.
But it hasn’t been an easy road for Haney. He had to overcome numerous obstacles and challenges to reach where he is today. From a young age, Haney showed a natural talent for boxing, and his father recognized it early on. He trained his son rigorously, pushing him to be the best version of himself.
Haney’s hard work and dedication paid off when he turned pro at the age of 17. He quickly made a name for himself in the boxing world, winning his first 15 fights by knockout. But despite his impressive record, many still doubted his abilities, claiming that he hadn’t faced any real competition.
Haney’s father, however, never wavered in his belief in his son’s abilities. He knew that Haney had what it takes to become a champion, and he continued to support and guide him throughout his career.
In 2019, Haney finally got his chance to prove himself on a bigger stage when he faced Zaur Abdullaev for the WBC interim lightweight title. Haney dominated the fight, winning by unanimous decision and becoming the youngest world champion in boxing at the age of 20.
But even after this impressive victory, the doubts and criticism continued. Many questioned the legitimacy of the interim title and claimed that Haney still hadn’t faced any real competition.
Haney’s father, however, remained unfazed. He knew that his son’s talent and hard work would eventually silence the naysayers. And that’s exactly what happened when Haney faced off against Jorge Linares for the WBC lightweight title in May 2021.
In a thrilling fight, Haney proved his critics wrong once again, winning by unanimous decision and securing his third world title in a third weight class. It was a moment of redemption for Haney, who had worked tirelessly to reach this point.
But the victory was not just for Haney; it was also for his father, who had stood by his side through all the ups and downs. In his post-fight interview, Haney thanked his father for his unwavering support and dedication, saying, “I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Haney’s journey to becoming a three-weight world champion is a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite facing constant doubt and criticism, he never gave up and continued to work hard to achieve his goals.
And now, with three world titles under his belt, Haney has silenced his critics and proven himself as one of the best boxers in the world. His father’s unconventional response to the criticism is a reminder that sometimes, the best way to respond to negativity is by letting your actions speak for themselves.
So, to all the naysayers and doubters, it’s time to give credit where credit is due. Devin Haney has proven himself as a champion, and it’s time to show him the respect and recognition he deserves. As for Haney, he will continue to let his fists do the talking and prove his worth in the ring.
