“He’s an accomplished pugilist. Is he the type of fighter I personally appreciate? No. Do I find his approach appealing? No. Do I consider him entertaining for spectators? No. Do I believe he truly belongs within the realm of entertainment? No,” Benn communicated to Fighthype.
Benn was situated at ringside during Haney’s match against Brian Norman Jr. last November and appeared largely indifferent for the majority of the event. Whenever cameras focused on him, he displayed signs of boredom, occasionally seeming almost asleep.
Benn conveyed his preference for boxers who engage actively and embrace risks, drawing a parallel to the fighting philosophy popularized by his father, Nigel Benn. He expressed skepticism that Haney would ever adopt such a style. Benn stated that Haney reportedly lacks the necessary power and durability to consistently exchange blows, instead depending on evasive footwork and grappling to assert control in his fights.
“Does his legal entanglement perfectly encapsulate his essence, in my opinion? Yes,” Benn affirmed. “Therefore, he’s not my preferred competitor. He is a capable, astute fighter, making for intriguing pairings. Yet, he possesses the ability to render any contest unexciting.”
Benn commented that Haney benefits significantly from the visibility afforded by Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season fight nights and would command substantially less attention without that specific platform. He characterized Haney’s method of fighting as difficult to observe and asserted its appeal is confined to a niche demographic of followers.
“It requires a distinctive kind of enthusiast to derive pleasure from observing constant clinching and evasion,” Benn remarked.
Benn further articulated that even when Haney performs with precision and technical prowess, he still finds no enjoyment in watching him compete.
“I derive no pleasure from watching him against any opponent,” Benn stated. “I did, however, find it interesting when he faced Ryan and was knocked down.”
Benn is of the opinion that Haney has grown increasingly wary since experiencing knockdowns against Ryan Garcia, and he suggested that this past event continues to influence Haney’s approach in the ring.
Regarding Haney’s fight against Brian Norman Jr. on November 22, 2025, Benn observed that Haney relied heavily on clinching after securing a knockdown in the second round. From that juncture onward, Benn indicated that Haney spent most of the contest restraining Norman and exhibiting minimal offensive action.
Haney’s bout against Jose Ramirez in May 2025 exhibited a comparable pattern, with Haney consistently moving and delivering few strikes. He secured the victory, but Benn commented that Ramirez failed to exert adequate pressure or effectively close off the ring.
The critique was forthright. Benn acknowledged Haney’s abilities but simply found no pleasure in witnessing them.
