Eddie Hearn Ends Devin Haney’s ‘Fear of God’ Shoes Controversy With Harsh Reality Check

Published 04/28/2024, 3:01 PM EDT

Did Devin Haney’s choice of footwear cost him the fight against Ryan Garcia? Some fans think so. Last Saturday, Haney stepped into the ring sporting ‘Fear of God’ boots made by Dominic Chambrone, an LA-based designer. These weren’t your ordinary boxing shoes—they looked more like something from a high fashion runway.

As Haney faced Garcia at the Barclays Center, questions buzzed. Did those stylish boots offer enough support? While Eddie Hearn insists they were proper boxing boots, the debate continues. Could something as simple as footwear really sway the outcome of a fight? Hearn is reluctant but thinks so.

Eddie Hearn Hints at Bigger Issues in Haney’s Camp

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Eddie Hearn, Haney’s promoter and Head of Matchroom Boxing, was quick to address the swirling controversy in a recent interview with TMZ Sports. “You have to understand, though, inside those boots are proper boxing [boots]. So it’s not like they were just a pair of Fear of God Uggs. They were made for him,” the Brit clarified.

Despite the fuss over the footwear, Hearn shifted focus to the broader aspects of a fighter’s preparation and environment. “Listen, sometimes you have to look at your preparation, look at how things have got crazy around you. A lot of these young fighters have huge entourages. I’m talking like 40-50 people in the changing room. This guy does your jacket, this guy does your shoes,” he remarked. His comments pointed to the potential distractions that come with fame and a large support team, which might impact a fighter’s focus more than their choice of boots.

“And Devin is a humble kid, he’s a real grafter, he’s a hard worker. I am sure he’ll be back stronger,” Hearn added, showing his unwavering support for Haney. He concluded firmly, “I don’t think [the boots had anything to do with the loss], but maybe it was a bad idea. I don’t know, but I don’t think they made him lose the fight.” Through these words, Hearn acknowledged the controversy but reaffirmed that it was Garcia’s night, suggesting the superior skill and performance of Ryan Garcia were the true deciding factors of the match. In another interview with TMZ Sports, he also addressed the debate surrounding the potential rematch between KingRy and the Dream.

Is Garcia vs. Haney II on the horizon?

Eddie Hearn is optimistic about a potential rematch between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. Speaking to the media house, Hearn expressed his hopes for the two stars to clash again in the ring. “I hope so,” he said, acknowledging Garcia’s advantageous position after their first encounter.

Despite Garcia’s victory by majority decision, where he knocked Haney down three times, Hearn noted, “Ryan did come in overweight. We would like a chance to put it right on an even playing field.” He added, “Ryan’s a huge star. He’s going to pick the fights that he likes and he wants. So hopefully, it will involve a Devin Haney rematch.” Hearn’s comments highlight his desire to see Devin Haney avenge his first professional loss in a fair rematch.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Haney can turn the tables on Garcia with a level playing field?

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Written by:

Mrinal Mishra is a senior writer for Boxing at EssentiallySports. With over 1300+ articles to his name, Mrinal’s articles often find congratulatory mentions from boxing greats like Mia St. John.

Edited by:

Gokul Pillai

Eddie Hearn Ends Devin Haney’s ‘Fear of God’ Shoes Controversy With Harsh Reality Check

Eddie Hearn Hints at Bigger Issues in Haney’s Camp

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