Haney-Ramirez Snoozefest Makes Boxing History For All The Wrong Reasons

By Lewis Barnett 3 May, 2025 6 mins read 57 Views

God. I've seen more action in a chess match between two sloths.

Boxing's supposed to be the sweet science, not a freaking lullaby. But that's exactly what we got Friday night when Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez delivered what might be teh most mind-numbing 12 rounds I've witnessed since covering this sport back in 2016. And I'm not alone in thinking this - some of boxing's biggest names were practically begging for their two hours back.

When Times Square Actually Fell Asleep

Picture this: New York City, the city that never sleeps, and Haney somehow managed to put the entire place into a coma. The 26-year-old former two-weight world champion cruised to a unanimous decision that had me checking my phone, my watch, and contemplating my life choices for staying up to watch it.

I actually spilled coffee on my laptop during round 8 and didn't even care because NOTHING WAS HAPPENING ON SCREEN.

The Numbers Don't Lie (They Just Make You Sad)

Listen. In 40 YEARS of CompuBox tracking punch stats, only THREE fights have landed fewer punches in 12 rounds. That's not just bad - that's historically terrible.

The final tally? Haney connected a whopping 70 times while Ramirez managed just 30 connections. That's 110 total punches landed across 36 minutes of fighting. For perspective, last week's Eubank-Benn clash saw 582 landed punches - more than FIVE TIMES what these guys managed.

The most exciting round featured Haney landing... wait for it... nine punches. Nine! I've seen more action in line at the DMV.

Fellow Fighters Weren't Having It

Poor Conor Benn. Man flew all the way to New York just a week after his own defeat to Eubank Jr, and couldn't even get a decent fight to watch. He tweeted: "The judges won't have a scorecard because they're all asleep."

Dillian Whyte wasn't any kinder: "This Haney fight is trash I can't believe I stayed up for this."

My favorite came from Jack Catterall who quipped: "Tell you what I get called boring this makes me look like a prime Marvin Hagler." (And Jack knows something about controversial decisions...)

Remember When Boxing Was, You Know... Exciting?

I spent $230 on fight night snacks and drinks for my buddies who came over to watch this card. By round 4, we were more interested in the half-eaten nachos than what was happening in the ring.

Hall of Fame commentator Jim Lampley summed it up perfectly: "If ever there was a fight capable of inducing a nap in Times Square, it would be this one."

At least Ryan Garcia showed up in a Batmobile before his main event against Rolly Romero. That's literally the most exciting thing that happened all night... until Garcia got dropped and ended up in tears after a stunning upset.

What The Hell Happened?

Haney landed about a third of his punches overall. Ramirez? A pathetic 14.3 percent. That's not a boxing match - that's two guys social distancing in gloves.

My editor texted me during round 7: "Are they even trying to hit each other?" I had no answer. Because honestly, I'm not sure they were.

And to think I turned down tickets to a concert for this...

The Aftermath

When Dillon Danis - yes, THAT Dillon Danis - delivers the most accurate assessment of your fight ("Devin Haney really put the city that never sleeps to sleep"), you know something has gone terribly wrong with boxing.

I've been covering this sport for almost a decade now, and I'm struggling to remember a more disappointing high-profile matchup. One that had so much potential on paper but delivered absolutely nothing in reality.

Maybe next time I'll just watch paint dry instead. At least it might change color occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How important is recovery in boxing training?

In boxing, recovery is crucial as it helps your body heal and become stronger. To ensure a speedy recovery, it is important to get enough rest, stretch, sleep well, drink plenty of water, eat nutritively, and follow a balanced diet. Ignoring recovery can lead to overtraining, injuries, and decreased performance.

How should I wrap my hand for boxing?

Hand wraps are essential for boxing as they protect your hands and wrists. Start by unwinding and wrapping the thumb around your thumb. Next, extend the wrap around the back your hand. Finally, circle your wrist several time. Cross your fingers between each other, then cover your knuckles. Finally, secure the wrap with Velcro.

What is amateur and professional Boxing?

Amateur-boxing is usually more concerned with the sport, focusing on points, technique and skill rather than knockouts. Often, the rounds are shorter and require protective headgear. Professional boxing, however, is a fulltime career, with longer rounds without headgear.

How long will it take me to be proficient at boxing?

The time needed to become proficient is different for each individual, depending on factors including natural ability. Consistency in training, the quality of instruction and your dedication to practicing. Regular training can lead to significant improvements in basic skills.

Can I learn boxing from home?

If you want to be sure that you are learning the right techniques, you should train in a boxing gym with an experienced coach. Boxing gyms also provide the necessary equipment as well as the chance to practice alongside others.

What is breathing important in boxing?

Breathing correctly is important in boxing. It can help regulate energy, keep stamina up, and relax you during a fight or training. You should exhale sharply with each punch and breathe rhythmically, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth to effectively manage your oxygen intake and output.

Is sparring necessary for beginners in boxing?

Beginners should not spar immediately. It is best to wait until you have a firm foundation and are fit enough. To ensure safety and a productive learning experience, sparring should be done under the supervision of an instructor and wearing proper protective gear.

Statistics

Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
Surveys reveal that close to 40% of new boxers join the sport for self-defense purposes rather than for competition or fitness.
Despite the stereotype that boxing is a young person's sport, approximately 20% of all beginners are over the age of 40.
Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.

External Links

How To

How to select a boxing club for beginners

The right boxing gym will ensure that you get quality instruction, and a good training environment. Choose a gym where the trainers are experienced and have a track record of working with beginners. Consider the class offerings, the state of the equipment, and how clean the gym is. Most gyms offer free classes, which is a great way to determine if it's the right atmosphere for you.