DEVIN HANEY is a happier and healthier fighter after ditching dangerous weight cuts to fight safely up in weight.
Haney held undisputed world titles at the 135lb lightweight division – somehow shrinking down to 9st 9lb to do so.
AFP – GettyDevin Haney has put his lightweight days behind him[/caption]
Haney even questioned how he made the weight
X @RealdevinhaneyHe is now fighting up in weight[/caption]
And going up to 140lb to win the WBC super-lightweight belt at 10st was no less gruelling for the shredded American star.
But now Haney, 26, is working his way up the divisions and returns on Friday night in a 144lb catchweight clash against Jose Ramirez.
Grimacing at the thought of his old weight cuts, he told SunSport: “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?’
“But, you know, Allah’s the perfect planner, everything happens for a reason.
“It put me in this position that I’m in now, so now I appreciate it so much more and feel so much better, mentally, physically, everything.”
Haney is finally able to train on a full stomach, not sacrificing vital calories to squeeze himself down in weight.
And no longer starving, a healthy fighter seems a happy fighter.
Haney, back after 12 months out, said with a chuckle: “Everybody on my team is happy.
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“Everybody’s seeing how much better I look, how much I’m glowing, how everything is just so much better like this.
“And I was much more disciplined coming into this camp as well with the year-long layoff, I was able to focus more and coming to this camp, prepared to have a good pre-camp.
“So, it all played a role and on May 2nd, my performance will show.”
Haney has not returned since his controversial fight with Ryan Garcia, also 26, in April 2024.
He was dropped three times before losing a decision – only for the result to be overturned after Garcia failed a drug test.
Haney took a break from boxing – welcoming his baby daughter in January – while also relocating his training camp.
The multimillionaire has traded the sweltering Las Vegas heat for Big Bear’s gruelling altitude in California – devoid of any unwelcome distractions.
Haney said: “All I was doing was eat, sleep and praying, and training, that was it.
“That was the only thing that I was to do. I was watching a little TV but not like that. I was really just resting when I wasn’t training.”
How was I even making that weight? How was I surviving, fighting under those conditions?
Devin Haney
Garcia tested positive for ostarine – a banned substance known to boost muscle growth – and accepted a one-year ban.
It followed after tests taken on the day of and 24 hours before the fight – which was changed to a no-contest.
Garcia had returned clean VADA tests during the build-up to the bout, and put the positive ostarine result down to contaminated supplements.
A massive rematch between the former amateur rivals is planned for this winter and already looming large.
But first, Haney faces Ramirez, 32, and Garcia fights Rolando Romero, 29, in a stunning three-bout card at Times Square on Friday.
And while Haney technically had his unbeaten record restored – the beatdown against Garcia lives long in the memory for fans.
Questions over Haney’s confidence have been asked – and they will be answered in the ring.
He said: “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 and I’d like to show that on May 2nd.”
GETTYRyan Garcia had his win over Haney overturned due to a failed drug test[/caption]
GettyHaney returns against Jose Ramirez[/caption]
GettyGarcia faces Rolando Romero with a rematch against Haney due to follow[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
