Devin Haney beats Jose Ramirez by unanimous decision in lackluster fight

The scorecards showed Devin Haney won the 12-round welterweight bout by unanimous decision against Jose Ramirez decisively. But the bout lacked sizzle.

The boxers landed a combined 110 punches, according to DAZN’s broadcast.

Haney flinched repeatedly when Ramirez got in close during their fight in Times Square. But his opponent failed to land many punches. and Haney’s quickness and hand speed served him well.

The judges scored it 119-109, 119-109, 118-110 for Haney, who improved to 32-0. The victory helped secure a likely rematch with Ryan Garcia, who was scheduled to fight Rolando “Rolly” Romero later in the evening.

Ramirez fell to 29-3.

Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez round-by-round

Round 12: Ramirez in need of a knockout, but it looks futile. Just lands a left to the body and fires a couple of shots as Haney darts away. Haney pot shotting. Mercifully, the fight comes to an end. Haney 119, Ramirez 109.

Round 11: Haney throws a big right. And misses. He needs to land a punch like that, if only to prove he’s equipped for a rematch with Garcia. Ramirez lands a right. Haney burning lots of calories, and outpunching Ramirez. Haney 109, Ramirez 100.

Round 10: Haney back to moving rather than standing his ground. The strategy likely is paying off on the scorecards, but this is not vintage Haney. Did Garcia retire vintage Haney? He eats two jabs. Ramirez corners Haney and scores, but Haney’s quickly on the move again. Haney 99, Ramirez 91.

Round 9: Ramirez attacks and lands a body shot. Attacks again and lands a right. Nothing that will stagger Haney, but he needs to land more punches. Haney lands a strong right and darts to his right rather than follow up. Ramirez chasing Haney, but eats a couple of punches when he gets too close. Haney 89, Ramirez 82.

Round 8: With all the moving, Haney treating Ramirez as if he’s a Hall of Famer. Then finally slows and throws. Lands. Haney opening up. Ramirez has no answers. Haney 79, Ramirez 73.

Round 7: With all this running, Haney is definitely getting in his steps. Ramirez lands a left and then eats a right counter. Haney landing more punches but taking few chances. Ramirez showing underwhelming ability to score. Haney 69, Ramirez 64.

Round 6: Ramirez opens with a left that grazes Haney. Hey, it’s progress. Haney stays on the move and quickly covers up at the sight of any punch. Ramirez bleeding from under his left eye, and he scores with a left. Haney responds with a combination, followed up with a solid body shot. Haney 59, Ramirez 55.

Round 5: Almost non-existent action here. Ramirez struggling to catch up to Haney, and Haney staying on the move without punching. Well, just like that, Haney lands a combination. Haney 49, Ramirez 46.

Round 4: Haney staying on the move, as if in fear of getting hit. Just when he seemed ready to assert himself, Haney backtracks. Not a dynamic fight, to say the least. Ramirez showing little ability to hit Haney with any authority. Haney 39, Ramirez 37.

Round 3: Haney’s corner has put tape over the uncooperative Velcro, according to DAZN’s Jim Lampley. Haney throwing more punches, but still looks tentative when Ramirez attacks – not often enough. Haney unleashes a hard left hook. Then lands a solid right. Ramirez looks mostly flat footed and slow. Haney 29, Ramirez 28.

Round 2: The Velcro strap still flapping on Haney’s right shoe. Haney finally fires a crisp left, but he’s still looking oddly tentative. The result of a year-long layoff or haunted by getting knocked down by Ryan Garcia three times? Nice left from Haney, and the good thing for him is Ramirez is doing very little. Haney lands a solid right as he comes alive. Ramirez 19, Haney 19.

Round 1: A muscular Devin Haney doesn’t look ready to flex them immediately. He backpedals in the opening moments. Jose Ramirez scores with a couple of lefts. Haney’s looking strangely tentative. Ramirez misses with an overhand right. Haney’s fists looked holstered. Velcro strap comes loose from Haney’s right shoe. Wardrobe malfunction? Ramirez 10, Haney 9.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Devin Haney beats Jose Ramirez by unanimous decision in Times Square