Veteran trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis made that point clear when discussing the potential matchup, stressing that Haney’s foundation as a boxer gives him solutions regardless of the opponent in front of him.
“Dev has the style,” Bozy said. “He’s got the style to beat anybody.” Bozy Ennis told YSM Sports Media.
In a vacuum, Haney’s technique is “elite,” but boxing is not played in a vacuum. It’s easy to say that a technical wizard like Devin Haney has the solutions for a “wild card” like Rolly, but the math changes drastically when you look at the physical and stylistic nightmares that await 147 and 154.
If Haney stays at welterweight, the options are limited, and that’s dangerous. You can’t talk about Haney “handling any style” without addressing the left hook that dropped him multiple times in his fight with Ryan Garcia. Even with the controversy surrounding that fight, the blueprint for the timing of Haney’s rhythm is out there.
Bozy may tout Haney’s “purity” as a boxer, but he conveniently ignores the biological and power-scale walls Haney is starting to hit.
Shakhram Giyasov is high risk, low reward. Haney is a prizefighter in the literal sense; he wants the biggest checks. Fighting a shunned, high-skill technician like Giyasov doesn’t fit the business model, even if Bozy thinks the style wins.
Conor Benn is a physical powerhouse who fights with a localized aggression that tests a chin more than Rolly’s wide, looping punches ever could.
Moving up to junior middleweight feels like a bridge too far for Haney’s current frame. Against Sebastian Fundora, Haney would give up nearly a foot of height and a massive reach advantage. Trying to “outbox” a 6’6″ giant who fights like a short man inside is a nightmare for a distance-based fighter like Haney.
Jaron Ennis is the most eloquent one. Despite Bozy praising Haney’s style, he was very protective of his own son in interviews, famously saying that Haney “better leave Boots alone.” Bozy knows that while Haney has a good jab, Boots has the height, the switch versatility and the “dog” in him to run through what Haney has to offer.
