Why it is a must-win for Avenal native Jose Ramirez as he fights Devin Haney in New York
Former two-time world champion and Avenal native Jose Ramirez is set to take on former undisputed lightweight world champion Devin Haney at Times Square in New York City on Friday.
Rather than being the favorite like Ramirez was in most of his fights, the 32-year-old is a heavy underdog at +700, according to Draft Kings. Haney is the betting favorite at -1200.
Ramirez and Haney will fight in a scheduled 12-round triple main event in the super lightweight division. It is the first time Ramirez will fight at 147 pounds after he fought most of his career at 140 pounds. The fights will begin at 2 p.m. PST, and will be on DAZN PPV.
“I’m preparing for the best Devin Haney,” Ramirez told reporters this week. “That’s the guy I want to beat. I want that challenge. That’s what I got ready for and that’s why I pushed myself the way I did in training camp.”
If Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) wants to get back in title contention, he needs to pull off an upset, where Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) is hoping for a rematch against Ryan Garcia, who is also on the card against former world champion Rolly Romero (16-2, 13 KOs).
Garcia and Haney fought in April 2024, won initially by Garcia by majority decision after knocking down Haney three times. Garcia later failed a drug test and the fight was ruled a no contest.
Garcia and Haney had an exchange of words at Wednesday’s news conference while Ramirez sat and listened.
It is a must-win for Ramirez in hopes of regaining form and getting back to title contention. A loss would end the talk of any title hopes in the future and possibly his career.
Ramirez is coming off a loss to Arnold Barboza Jr. in November.
“I know he’s a very talented fighter,” Ramirez said of Haney. “He’s a good fighter. But on Friday, May 2, I will beat Devin Haney. My best chapter is yet to come.”
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 8:21 PM.
