Connect with us

Boxing

Devin Haney Hits Back at ‘We Hate Sanctioning Bodies’ Comment on The Ring Podcast.

Published

on

Devin Haney reacts during The Ring podcast debate as Mike Coppinger’s “hate the sanctioning bodies” comment is discussed

Devin Haney has withdrawn after a podcast debate used the word “hate” to describe boxing sanctioning bodies.

In the conversation, Mike Coppinger, Max Kellerman and veteran boxing journalist Doug Fischer discussed the role boxing governing bodies continue to play in the sport as up-to-date ideas, such as the proposed Zuffa belt, begin to enter the marketplace.

During the exchange of opinions, the discussion was interrupted by one comment.

The word “hate” used to describe sanctioning authorities

“Right, we hate sanctioning authorities,” Coppinger said.

The utilize of the word “hate” stood out because the sanctioning bodies, despite recurrent criticism, remain the backbone of boxing’s championship system.

Haney responded with a warrior’s perspective.

“The same as me, as a fighter, we can’t say that everyone hates the sanctioning authorities,” Haney explained.

He said that for many players, these titles are a goal from the moment they enter the sport.

“As a newborn kid growing up, you want the IBF, you want the WBC, you want the WBO. You want the Ring Magazine belt. You want all the belts.”

Haney has made it clear that he does not discount the emergence of up-to-date ideas in boxing, including the Zuffa championship concept currently being discussed.

“But I’m also into Zuffa and everything, which is good,” he said. “But we can’t forget about these sanctioning bodies.”

The reason, Haney added, remains basic.

“As a fighter, you want to be recognized as a true champion.”

The debate began as the panel discussed the International Boxing Federation’s position on IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetai and the possibility of fighters risking their titles by fighting for competitive promotional belts.

Leigh Dawney | Queensberry

A fighter perspective

Haney’s comments carried weight given his own path in the sport. The American has held various versions of the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO titles and understands firsthand what these belts represent to fighters climbing the ranks.

By speaking as a multi-belt champion, Haney meant that the four sanctioning bodies continue to provide the structure that many fighters follow from the moment they enter the sport.

The exchange also highlighted the direction of the debate currently taking place in boxing. the podcast, which featured Coppinger, Kellerman and Fischer, fits into a broader context that currently includes Riyadh Season’s growing involvement in the sport and discussion of up-to-date championship ideas, such as the proposed Zuffa title.

For some observers, the word “hate” used to describe the sanctioning bodies was striking, given how significant the same organizations have been in the boxing championship system for decades.

These bodies oversee the rankings, mandatory challengers, and title recognition that ultimately determine who is considered the champion in each league.

Many sanctioning authorities also run charitable initiatives and support programs aimed at helping ex-combatants who have fallen on tough times. This behind-the-scenes work sometimes goes unnoticed, especially when a debate on a platform like The Ring podcast can influence public opinion.

Haney’s response therefore reflected the view from inside the ropes. While up-to-date ideas and up-to-date belts may emerge, classic titles still represent achievements that most competitors grow into.

Jai Opetaia with the Zuffa cruiserweight championship belt during a press conference following the dispute with the IBF
Zuffa boxing

A changing landscape

The discussion also comes during a period of transition that is increasingly associated with Riyad’s season and Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in boxing under Turki Alalshikh.

As up-to-date ventures like Zuffa Boxing attempt to transform parts of the championship structure, debates over how titles are recognized will likely continue.

For players like Haney, the view remains basic. However, describing boxing’s title structure with a word as sturdy as “hate” is another matter entirely.

Regardless of changes that may occur in the boxing landscape, classic belts remain the greatest prizes that fighters have been fighting for for generations.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Deontay Wilder summoned by a fierce rival after years of sparring sessions ended with a hospital stay

Published

on

Deontay Wilder called out by bitter rival years after sparring session ended in hospital trip

Deontay Wilder is likely to have another major fight before the end of the year following his success against Derek Chisora, and now one of his fiercest rivals has called for a “personal” grudge fight.

Wilder made it two straight wins for the first time since 2019, first beating Tyrrell Herndon in a low-key comeback last June and then winning a split decision over Derek Chisora ​​earlier this month.

After the victory over Chisora, it seems that the “Bronze Bomber” has returned to competition in an crucial fight, either for the world title or against an opponent who will challenge him for the belts.

However, talking to Fighting Hub TVfellow American Jarrell Miller downplayed Wilder’s recent resurgence, unimpressed with his victory over “Del Boy”.

“Fuck no [I wasn’t impressed by his performance against Chisora]. He looked like a super b***h. I don’t think Chisora ​​was 100% ready for this fight because compared to the last three fights Chisora ​​had, his conditioning was much better, he looked much stronger [in those fights].

“He looked a little flat in it and Deontay looked like a super b***h.

Miller then admitted that he would love the opportunity to meet his 40-year-old compatriot, stating that their rivalry had become personal due to the situation involving Wilder’s former fiancée.

“I would love to fight Deontay, but Deontay repeatedly said, ‘I will never fight Miller,’ and then when I said more bullshit, ‘I will never fight Miller because he was so disrespectful.’ I said, ‘You’re a punk bitch, we’re fighters, bro!’

“It’s kind of personal because he took it personally. I never said it personally, I always respected him as an older brother because we went to camp a few times, but then he took his ex’s word for it about some things I told him and took it the wrong way. Then he came and found out that I was right.”

“He took it personally… Like I say bro, he didn’t listen to that motto before he did it – now he feels the wrath of that shit.”

The pair have been exchanging blows for years, including: Wilder previously claimed he sent Miller to hospital after a particularly brutal sparring session.

On Saturday night, Miller fights WBA No. 2 Lenier Perowanting to prove that he is the United States’ best chance at regaining the heavyweight title.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Dillian Whyte calls for rematch with Joseph Parker, Eyes Summer returns

Published

on

Image: Dillian Whyte: From Small-Hall Graft to Wembley World Title Shot

Whyte is 38 and coming off a 119-second stoppage-time loss to Moses Itauma. Heavyweight fighters can bounce back from losses, but some defeats change the way the market views a fighter. I thought it was one of them.

Anthony Joshua has greater commercial opportunities and there is no reason to revisit Whyte now. Tyson Fury operates in a completely different financial bracket. Oleksandr Usyk is chasing legacy fights, not rebuilding opponents. This narrows the field quickly.

Derek Chisora ​​effectively comes to an end, erasing another high-profile domestic money fight. Up-to-date challengers are hazardous, not guaranteeing the same reward. There may be risks associated with younger names, but not with the wallet of an established former titleholder.

This makes Parker one of the few names remaining that still has a profile, a history and a story to sell. They fought in 2018. Whyte made his decision, and the controversy surrounding that result continues to give promoters something to offer.

Whyte’s problem is that Parker’s task seems more complex now than it did then. Parker has become stronger, more aggressive and more established at the highest level. Even in his loss to Fabio Wardley last October, he showed more acumen than Whyte has in recent years.

Therefore, the fans’ reaction is understandable. This doesn’t look like a man choosing from an extensive list of options. He looks like a warrior scanning the board for the last significant check.

There’s nothing unusual about that in heavyweight boxing. The question is whether the opportunity still reflects reality. Right now, Parker could be one of Whyte’s best paydays available and one of his toughest nights.

From a competitive standpoint, the chance of Joseph Parker taking this fight in 2026 is almost zero.

It’s strange that Whyte wants a rematch with Parker, a guy he already beat in 2018. In boxing, you usually only come back to win if it was a massive worldwide hit (unlikely in this case) or if you literally have no other options to secure a televised main event.

For Whyte, Parker is a “protected” choice from a marketing perspective. He can point to the 2018 failure and the ultimate decision to tell the networks, “See? We didn’t finish things.” It’s a lot easier to sell it than to convince people that he might associate himself with a up-to-date race of giants.

Parker’s situation has actually changed significantly since slow 2025. Parker’s 11th-round TKO loss to Fabio Wardley last October was a major blow, but it was a “fight of the year” contender. He showed he still has world-class attributes.

Recent reports indicate that Parker tested positive for a cocaine metabolite following the Wardley fight. If he’s facing a suspension or a “clear his name” phase, the last thing he needs is to fight for nothing with a Dillian Whyte bombshell.

If Parker beats Whyte now, critics will say he beat a dead man. If he loses or even fights, his elite level career will officially be over.

Since the defeat to Fury in 2022, Whyte has looked like he was fighting in ponderous motion. The Itauma disaster was only the final confirmation of what the eyes had already seen.

His situation is basically a severe version of the “golden parachute.” He knows that Joshua and Fury’s paydays are gone forever. Parker is the only name left on the board who can still generate a decent gate and TV license fee. This is the last payment before the phone stops ringing.

Continue Reading

Boxing

The former heavyweight champion admits he is not yet ready to fight Moses Itauma

Published

on

Former heavyweight champion admits he’s not ready to face Moses Itauma yet

Moses Itauma appears to have a fresh fight date set as he continues his march towards the heavyweight throne, with talk turning to who will walk through the ropes with him.

Itauma has never fought more than six rounds in his 14-fight professional career, but now he finds himself one step away from fighting for the coveted heavyweight crown. which may occur before the end of the year.

It has been reported that the 21-year-old will headline the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, July 25 in a fight that will ideally be another step forward in the competition.

Promoter Frank Warren didn’t have time to catch up with the youthful talent, claiming that many heavyweights had either rejected the fight altogether or overestimated themselves. Itauma’s future depends on strategically selecting players, increasing his exposure and attracting opponents who can bring fresh aspects to his game. There were many suggestions for good candidates, and Andy Ruiz Jr was mentioned as a hard-wearing and experienced operator by the likes of Tony Bellew.

However, when asked if he would be willing to compete in his opponent’s corner, the former unified heavyweight ruler, who shocked the world by defeating Anthony Joshua in 2019, said: Casino.org that he would like at least two fights to get rid of the rust in the ring.

“Of course I’m not backing down from any fight, but I want to be ready to fight. I want to fight at least two fights first. Then, if they put me against him, I’ll be ready and it will be a great fight.

“If you combine the Mexican fighting style, which is about moving forward and not being afraid of getting hit, with his style, I think it will be an intriguing fight. So we’ll see if he succeeds or not.”

“If I’m 100% and in shape, I don’t think there’s anyone who can beat me. But I think me and Itauma could do it. I feel like I could beat those guys (AJ and Itauma).

“Other than that, I was like Patrick Star, I was just resting under a rock while everyone else was getting beat up and taking losses and stuff like that. So I’m going to come in fresh and come in differently than before.”

The search is on for Itauma’s next foe, which will be his first headlining appearance in London.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending