Oscar De La Hoya Slams Devin Haney: A Post-Lopez Fight Tirade

James

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Post on Jun 05, 2025

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Oscar De La Hoya Slams Devin Haney: A Post-Lopez Fight Tirade

Oscar De La Hoya unleashed a scathing verbal attack on Devin Haney following Haney's controversial victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko. The boxing legend didn't pull any punches, criticizing Haney's performance and questioning his legacy in the sport. This post-fight tirade has ignited a firestorm of debate within the boxing community, with fans and pundits divided on De La Hoya's assessment.

De La Hoya, a former multiple-weight world champion himself, took to social media and various interviews to express his strong disapproval of Haney's showing against Lomachenko. He described the fight as "boring" and accused Haney of employing a negative fighting style that stifled Lomachenko's aggressive approach. This isn't the first time De La Hoya has been critical of Haney; their relationship appears to be increasingly fraught with tension.

De La Hoya's Key Criticisms:

De La Hoya's criticisms centered on several key points:

• Lack of Aggression: He felt Haney prioritized avoiding risks over showcasing exciting boxing skills, leading to a less-than-thrilling spectacle for the viewers. He argued Haney didn't engage in the kind of all-out war expected from a fight of such magnitude.
• Negative Fighting Style: De La Hoya labelled Haney's tactics as "boring" and "running," suggesting the champion prioritized a points victory over a decisive knockout. This criticism resonates with many fans who felt the fight lacked the explosive action they anticipated.
• Questioning Haney's Legacy: The most pointed criticism came in the form of questioning Haney's place amongst boxing's all-time greats. De La Hoya implied that Haney's cautious style might prevent him from achieving true legendary status.

Haney's Response and the Ongoing Debate:

Haney, naturally, has defended his performance and strategy. He maintained that he fought smart, controlled the fight, and ultimately achieved victory against a formidable opponent like Lomachenko. He suggested that De La Hoya's comments are fueled by personal bias and a desire to generate controversy.

The boxing world is sharply divided. Some agree with De La Hoya, arguing that Haney's style, while effective, was not entertaining. Others defend Haney, pointing out that winning is the ultimate goal and that Lomachenko, despite his skill, was unable to overcome Haney's defensive prowess. This debate highlights the age-old conflict between exciting, aggressive boxing and strategic, defensive tactics.

The Future of Haney and the Lightweight Division:

Regardless of the controversy, Haney remains the undisputed lightweight champion. His victory over Lomachenko solidifies his position at the top of the division. However, De La Hoya's strong words have added fuel to the fire, creating anticipation for potential future matchups and a greater push for Haney to showcase more aggressive fighting styles. The lightweight division remains one of the most exciting in boxing, and this controversy only serves to heighten the intrigue surrounding Haney's future fights.

What are your thoughts on De La Hoya's criticism of Devin Haney? Share your opinion in the comments below!