Manny Pacquiao Advises Devin Haney To Prioritize Entertainment Over Safety-First Tactics

Manny Pacquiao advised Devin Haney about his need to “entertain the fans” for his fights. The 46-year-old former eight-division world champion Pacquiao was asked about his thoughts on Haney’s last contest against Jose Ramirez on May 2nd after being told he’d thrown very punches.

Entertainment Missing in Haney

Haney, 26, threw only 224 shots the entire fight, and his clash was seen as the most boring on the whole Times Square card in New York City. Although the crowd was small, VIP VIP-selected group, many fans ordered the event on DAZN PPV. The reaction on social media to Devin’s performance was negative. A few fighters came to Haney’s defense, but most of those were ones who routinely utilize the same boring style as he showed.

Pacquiao is known for his high output and aggressive fighting style, even against bigger, stronger opposition. So, Haney’s dull, safety-first fighting style is alien to how the Filipino superstar has fought during his pro career. He put the fans first, wanting to entertain them, and would never fight like Devin did against Ramirez and in many other fights.

“In boxing, it’s how you entertain the fans. Boxing became popular because of the support of the fans of the people,” said Manny Pacquiao to the media when asked about Devin Haney’s low punch output in his fight against Jose Ramirez on May 2nd at Times Square in New York City.

Haney: Unfit for Pacquiao’s Model

It’s unlikely that Devin and his father, Bill Haney, will heed Pacquiao’s message. Haney can’t change his fighting style without it physically breaking him and sending his career into the junkpile. He doesn’t have the power or the chin to fight aggressively like Manny advocates he should.

“So, make sure the fans are satisfied in every fight that you have, that you give it to them. That’s balance. You cannot pay back all the sacrifices that you have, and then the people are not satisfied,” said Pacquiao.

Devin hasn’t fought many high-caliber fighters during his pro career. Some would say that he owes his popularity to being selectively matched against beatable opposition and competing through most of his career in a weight class below his frame. He mainly competed at lightweight but would look huge after rehydrating. Since moving up to 140 and 147, Haney has fought shopworn 35-year-old Regis Prograis, Ryan Garcia, and Jose Ramirez.

Haney’s Last 10 Fights

– Jose Ramirez
– Ryan Garcia
– Regis Prograis
– Vasily Lomachenko
– George Kambosos Jr x 2
– Joseph Diaz Jr.
– Jorge Linares
– Yuriorkis Gamboa
– Alfredo Santiago