Haney Faces Backlash: De La Hoya's Fierce Criticism After Teofimo Lopez Fight

James

3 min read

Post on Jun 06, 2025

4.5

Share

Haney Faces Backlash: De La Hoya's Fierce Criticism After Teofimo Lopez Fight

Lightweight boxing champion Devin Haney is facing a storm of criticism following his controversial victory over Teofimo Lopez. Oscar De La Hoya, the legendary boxer and promoter, has led the charge, unleashing a fierce verbal attack on Haney's performance and judging. The fight, which saw Haney retain his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO lightweight titles, has sparked a heated debate among boxing fans and experts alike.

The fight, held on December 3rd, 2023, was a highly anticipated clash of styles and personalities. Many expected a thrilling back-and-forth battle, but instead, the fight saw Haney employ a cautious, often defensive, strategy. While he ultimately secured a unanimous decision victory, many felt the scorecards didn't reflect the closeness of the contest, and that Lopez landed the more impactful punches.

De La Hoya's Outrage: More Than Just a Disagreement

De La Hoya didn't mince words in his post-fight assessment, labeling Haney's performance as "boring" and "uninspired." He went further, suggesting the judges were influenced by Haney's perceived dominance in rounds, rather than the actual power and effectiveness of the punches landed. De La Hoya's outspoken criticism isn't uncommon – he's known for his blunt assessments of boxing matches – but the intensity of his reaction highlights the widespread feeling that the fight lacked the excitement many anticipated.

"Haney ran. He ran the entire fight," De La Hoya stated in a post-fight interview. "It was a disgrace to the sport. The judges need to be held accountable for this robbery." This sentiment has been echoed across social media, with many fans expressing their disappointment and questioning the legitimacy of the victory.

The Scoring Controversy: A Deeper Look at the Judges' Decisions

The judges' scorecards – 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113, all favoring Haney – have come under intense scrutiny. Many boxing analysts and commentators pointed out several rounds where Lopez appeared to land cleaner, more powerful punches. This discrepancy between perceived performance and the official scoring has fueled the debate about judging inconsistencies in professional boxing, a long-standing issue within the sport. The call for greater transparency and improved judging criteria is growing louder following this controversial fight.

Haney's Response: Defense and Deflection

Haney, in his post-fight interviews, defended his strategy, claiming he fought to the judges' scorecards and executed his game plan effectively. He acknowledged the criticism but maintained his victory was deserved. However, his response has done little to quell the ongoing debate, with many believing his defensive tactics were overly cautious and ultimately resulted in a less-than-spectacular fight for the fans.

What's Next for Haney and the Lightweight Division?

The aftermath of this controversial fight leaves the future of the lightweight division uncertain. While Haney retains his titles, the lingering questions about the legitimacy of his victory and the persistent criticism from prominent figures like De La Hoya cast a shadow over his achievements. The demand for a rematch is growing, and many believe a second fight between Haney and Lopez is inevitable to settle the score once and for all. The boxing world waits with bated breath to see how this contentious situation will unfold. Will we see a rematch? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.