Tim Bradley says Devin Haney’s performance against Jose Ramirez last Friday at Times Square in New York was not boxing. He implies that Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) has “PTSD” from the trauma he experienced in his fight against Ryan Garcia last year, and it’s affecting his ability to perform.
(Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)
He noted Haney’s change from how he used to engage to how he performed last Friday against Ramirez (29-3, 18 KOs). However, Bradley feels that Haney should have still forced himself to fight hard because he was paid millions for his fight.
His job is to “entertain” the fans, and he feels that he failed in his mission. Although Haney did win by a 12-round unanimous decision, his punch output was low. He only threw 224 shots, landing 70.
The PTSD Factor?
“Listen to me. I’m going to tell you something. PTSD is a real thing in boxing,” said Tim Bradley to Fight Hub TV when asked about whether he felt that Devin Haney’s performance against Jose Ramirez last Friday night was worth the millions of dollars that he was paid.
It did look like Haney shut down mentally against Ramirez, showing avoidance behavior throughout his 12-round fight with Ramirez. Some fans would argue this is a behavior pattern of an ex-vet with PTSD. They become passive and lose the fight they had when they were on the battlefield.
The trauma of the shelling stays with them. Haney’s behavior looked somewhat like a person with PTSD. He is obviously nowhere near the fighter he was in his last three fights against Ryan Garcia, Regis Prograis, and Vasily Lomachenko. Something changed.
“However, this is the hurt business. This is the absolute hurt business, man, and you’re getting paid millions of millions of dollars to give us a show. Not only to give us a show, but also win and look good as possible. Look good as much as you possibly can. Actually fight,” said Bradley.
Haney may have forgotten that he needed to entertain, or perhaps Bradley is correct about his belief that he’s showing signs of PTSD; he was incapable. That’s not something a person can control. The trauma causes flashbacks, and it’s not something that a person can just snap out of by willing themselves. It’s impossible to dismiss them and be who they were before the traumatic event.
“That Wasn’t Boxing”
“So, with that being said, do you feel that’s what Haney did? Do you feel that was superior boxing? Do you feel that he boxed this guy’s ears off? In my book, knowing boxing, that wasn’t boxing,” said Bradley, letting the media know that he felt Haney ran all night against Ramirez rather than boxed.
What Haney was doing was NOT boxing against Ramirez. That was actually running, and it was hard for the carefully selected VIP fans at the ringside in Times Square and many who ordered it on DAZN PPV. Haney reportedly made $10 million for the Ramirez fight, but it wasn’t enough to make him take risks.
Last Updated on 05/06/2025
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