Growing up, Floyd Mayweather was often vilified for his confidence and unapologetic nature. He didn’t just talk the talk; he backed it up in the ring, declaring himself "The Best Ever"—a claim few dared to make since Muhammad Ali. But while Mayweather thrived on being the villain, Devin Haney is a different story. Haney isn’t flashy or controversial. He simply shows up, performs, and continues to prove that he’s one of the best fighters in the world. Yet, despite his talent, he seems to be one of the most hated figures in boxing today.

Take the recent Ryan Garcia fight, for instance. Garcia, who was later revealed to be using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), still couldn’t knock Haney out, even with an unfair advantage. What’s more shocking is how little the media and boxing community had to say about it. The fact that Garcia bet on himself, potentially costing people significant money, barely made headlines. The only notable voice that spoke out was Caleb Plant. Meanwhile, the boxing organizations remained silent. Even the WBC president, instead of condemning Garcia, expressed support for him—a slap in the face to Haney, who was the WBC champion at the time.

Ryan Garcia’s actions were not just unethical; they were dangerous. He put Haney’s life at risk, yet the backlash was almost nonexistent. Instead of condemning Garcia, much of social media seemed to blame Haney, with comments like, "Devin should’ve kept his lead hand up to avoid those hooks." Even people I know personally dismissed the severity of Garcia’s PED use, asking, "How much did the PEDs really matter?"

This hatred towards Haney goes beyond just him—it extends to his father as well. People seem to dislike the fact that his father, Bill Haney, believes in his son and lifts him up, envisioning him as one of the greatest fighters ever. Devin Haney already sits in a rare class, having become an undisputed champion, yet the recognition and respect he deserves often elude him.

If Devin and his team are smart, they should seriously consider suing Ryan Garcia. It’s disgraceful that when you search for Devin Haney online, one of the first images that pops up is of him on the canvas during the Garcia fight. Everyone knows Garcia was on PEDs, yet the narrative still works against Haney. He may not be able to fight back physically in this situation, but he can certainly seek justice financially.

The boxing world should have suspended Ryan Garcia for two years, not just one. With most fighters only stepping into the ring once a year, that one-year suspension is hardly a punishment. Garcia’s steroid use was a disgrace to the sport, and the lack of accountability only highlights how much work still needs to be done in boxing.

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