Tag: devin-haney

  • Did Turki Al-Sheikh really just interrupt Berlanga vs Sheeraz’s press conference via phone call?

    Yes. He called and caused the Berlanga vs. Sheeraz press conference to a halt. Turki explained that this card has a direct influence on the sport of boxing, and the outcome of this fight will dictate who Canelo Alvarez will fight next! (After Crawford)

    In regards to my latest post, Rolly Romero explained that Turki is overlooking “B” side fighters, and he’s doing it again! By the end of the phone call, Turki sends his regards to Berlanga, but none at all towards Sheeraz.

    Turki seems to only be promoting the “A” side fighters. And he’s lazer focused on matching up “A” fighters vs. “A” fighters, which is amazing for the sport! But, he’s not helping promote the “B” side fighters at all. Even blatantly disregarding outcomes of fights where the “B” side or the “underdog” persevere and walk away the victor.

    In his phone call interruption, he stated that Garcia vs. Haney is next. Why?! Shouldn’t it be Haney vs Romero? No. Regardless of outcome, Turki is choosing to put the big names against the big names.

    This will cause the general public to be happy, but what about the real fans of the sport? This is disgraceful. Why should Garcia be continued to be promoted and pushed after he lost unanimously against Romero? It makes no sense.

    What Turki doesn’t realize yet, is that he can create “nobody’s” into generational stars. Current “B” side fighters into “A” side fighters. All through the power of promotion.

    However, he’s currently focused on making the best fights on the planet. Choosing big names over pure talent. In the short run this is amazing, but I hope he puts just as much promotion into all fighters, as he does towards the modern day household names. If he doesn’t take notes from the UFC or from WWE, his run could be cut short, regardless of his tall cash.

  • Is Turki ruining boxing?

    Turki Al-Sheikh has been heavily involved with the boxing scene and has become a prominent figure in the sport. But the question posed is, is he ruining the sport of boxing?

    I think no. Rolly Romero says yes, and he has a point! The money that Turki is bringing in is causing big name fighters to sign big fight contracts. Household names are fighting other household names, so what can be the issue?

    The issue is, according to Rolly Romero, that Turki is scheduling fights with pre-meditated expectations/outcomes. Resulting in a lack of promotion for the “B” fighter. In the case of Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero, Rolly felt like they were overlooking him, and solely promoting Garcia, angling Garcia in the media to set up a “mega-fight” rematch between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. Romero expressed that the promotion also stunted Jose Ramirez, instead of help promote him.

    Essentially, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney showed up in New York City with a guaranteed fat pay check, and another guaranteed fat pay check if they were able to walk away with their hands raised in their bouts against Romero and Ramirez. The issue? According to Romero, this leaves fighters with nothing to fight for, they’re not hungry to put on a show for the fans because their checks are already written.

    In my opinion, I see where Rolly Romero is coming from, and I think that presenting fighters with lots of guaranteed money can have an impact on their training leading up to the fight, but I don’t think Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney make good examples, nor do they accurately represent the term “Fighter”

    What I mean by that is, when I think about Ryan Garcia I don’t think “Fighter” I think… Immature attention seeker with a great left hook. When I think about Devin Haney, I don’t think “Fighter” I think about a slick, cat and mouse, boxer who should’ve never had his hand raised against Vasyl Lomachenko. Devin’s biggest achievement in the sport is a fight that he never won. Reminds me of when Timothy Bradley “won” against Manny Pacquiao. The reason why they make bad examples is because this is Garcia’s first fight back after being popped for PED’s. (I think this was truly overlooked by the media) For Haney, this is the first fight back after being knocked out and beaten badly by a raging… Ryan Garcia on… PED’s! (In Haney’s defense, it was a wise move planning to be untouched throughout 12 rounds. Incredibly boring, but wise) This all led to a rather poor performance by both fighters.

    Although Romero has a point, in defense for Turki, I believe he’s actively keeping the sport of boxing alive. It’s not his fault that Haney, Garcia, and the Canelo fights were lackluster. Styles truly make fights, and Haney’s style isn’t intriguing. Perhaps he can stir the ship of public opinion like Belal Muhammad did with his latest fight in the UFC against Jack Della Maddelena, but we’ll just have to wait and see if Haney can make the switch.

    That being said, the current state of boxing is an exciting one! We have many great fights lined up for this year, and Crawford vs. Canelo is a few months away.

    My prediction? Canelo walks away with his hand raised… And we have Turki to thank, for making these types of fights happen.

  • “Fatal Fury” Did it help save boxing or did it help plunge it deeper into despair?

    On May 2nd, 2025, boxing enthusiasts across the world were excited to tune into a triple header. Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero. Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez. And Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.

    The names of all of these men on one card is an amazing sight to see on paper. Finally, after decades of watching cherry pickers, we’re entering a new era of boxing where the best face off against the best. Multiple household names under the same roof? Live in New York City under the bright lights of Time’s Square, surely this can’t fail right?

    Unfortunately, three men failed to walk away with a victory, and so did every customer who paid for the broadcast. Fans felt morally defeated after having to watch a 12 round “Fight” between Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez. A true snooze fest was put on display, and even the bright lights of New York City weren’t bright enough to keep people’s eyes open during this bout. Devin Haney simply outran Ramirez for a U.D. victory, and Jose let him. Jose chased Devin around the ring, was never able to cut him off, and was never able to throw his coveted combinations. Devin on the other hand, put on a masterclass performance, reminiscent of Dale Earnhardt, round and round around the ring danced Haney. Terrible fight to watch.

    Rolly Romero and Teofimo Lopez both looked great in their bouts. Romero was able to pull off the stunning victory over Ryan Garcia! A +700 underdog in many books was Romero. Moving up to 147lbs benefited him, versus Garcia looked negatively affected by the change of weight. Ryan Garcia was knocked down in the second round and seemed to lose his confidence for the rest of the fight.

    Ryan Garcia had great success with his jab, frequently snapping Romero’s head back, however, Romero kept throwing a beautiful jab to Garcia’s body, over and over again. This was the key to the fight right here, Garcia’s inability to parry, block, or disrupt Romero’s jab to the body cost Garcia this fight. Along with the second round knockdown of course. In the end, this fight was a joy to watch due to Romero being such a big underdog, but there wasn’t as much action as fans had previously hoped for.

    Overall, May 2nd 2025 helped saved boxing. We’re seeing a newfound wave of love and money being thrown boxing’s way via Turki Alashikh. He’s putting on cards with household names riddled throughout, not just the main event. This is causing boxing to actually compete with the UFC. However, “Fighters” like Devin Haney are ruining the sport entertainment aspect for fight fans.