Bill Haney’s jaw hit the ground as Devin Haney’s skull did the same.

Ryan Garcia’s win last April, however, was ultimately wiped off the board after failing a post-fight drug test. With things unsettled, the two will return to the ring in the coming months on the same card but in separate bouts. Garcia will take on Rolando “Rolly” Romero while Haney will line up against Jose Ramirez. If both sides win, they’ll run things back.

Bill now, is carefully watching his son as he prepares both his mind and body. To a certain degree, Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) is being used as a springboard for Devin. At least, that’s the perception from the outside looking in. From Bill’s point of view, Ramirez is no stepping stone. In fact, the former unified champ at 140 pounds has a few attributes that not even Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) can match.

“Jose Ramirez is a slower version of Ryan Garcia,” said Bill Haney to Tha Boxing Voice during a Zoom interview. “He probably boxes better but Ryan has 12 national championships so he's a boxer. He knows how to box.”

The 12 national championships Bill is referring to came on the amateur level. As a professional, he’s yet to grab a world title. Although Ramirez did reach the pinnacle of the sport, he’s seemingly seen better days.

In 2021, his unified reign was truncated by Josh Taylor. He eventually bounced back, winning three straight, but he was recently beaten again, this time by Arnold Barboza.

Bill though, isn’t looking at Ramirez as a shot fighter or over-the-hill. Not only is he a former champion, but Bill also loves the work he’s put in as an amateur where he was one of the best fighters around.

“Fundamentally, Jose Ramirez is an Olympian so he knows how to box.”