Hitchins is taller, longer, has more power, faster hands, physically stronger, more defensively responsible, superior at managing distance, better at controlling opponents in the clinch
Haney is the superior technician. As much hate as Haney has been getting recently still can't deny that he's a solid boxer. Hitchins also doesn't have the firepower to hurt Haney bad. It's an interesting match up that's either going to be a great technical chess match or a boring as hell snoozefest.
I like Haney by comfortable decision. I think he's more battle-tested and a little better at the things that he does well.
Hitchens. He's chinny and sucks when someone can take him power and throw volume, but Haney isn't anything like this. I see him as superior to Haney, in every catagory beyond creating angles I cannot see how Devin wins this
Devin Haney is one of the most overhyped projects in today's boxing. The narrative is that he's a defensively sound fighter and a smart boxer with limited fire power. The truth is that what the media attempts to pass for defensive mastery, is in fact fouling and hugging himself out of danger against men who he outweighs by 25-30lbs on fight night, he has better than average survival skills in the form of hugs, pushes, and stiff arming. Can he outbox behind an average jab the Regies Prograis of this world? Absolutely, and he will look confident doing so, normal since he's always felt safe in knowing he's not fighting a legit threatening puncher and that he's much bigger than his opposition. If I ever want to look at a fish out of water, I pull up Devin Haney vs Lomachenko, the look on his face is of complete shock, no adaptability, completely lost in that ring while Lomachenko lands at will and keeps embarrassing him. This was an aged 36 year old Lomachenko by the way. But above all else, Devin Haney has fine China marble on his chin, the gods cursed him first with his Mutant Ninja Turtle body type and then with his weak jaw. It doesn't help that Haney is a bully type who relies on confidence from knowing he's much bigger and that he "won't be hurt" by smaller men. Ryan Garcia completely destroyed that confidence, the look on Haneys face when Ryan hit him with that left hook on the first round while he was jabbing (its absolutely embarrassing to hear people say Haney had an ATG jab, above average AT best). The look on his face was of pure fear, and this was a coked up, hang over, unfit Ryan Garcia that enacted an asswhooping on him. In all his hubris he learned nothing from the Lomachenko robbery, I'm sure he convinced himself he actually won that fight, instead of reflecting that his supposed boxing skills arent half as good as his hype men tell him they are, he must have actually convinced himself that he's a legit P4P talent. Pride cometh before the fall, nobody who looks like a 12 year old who just got slapped by his pops after hitting the canvas is going to intimidate anyone
Hitchins has never blown me away as being on of those "next" guys, but I think he's a little bit more physically gifted and quicker than Haney, but that's not really the type of guys that give Haney trouble. Hitchins isn't a banger or hitter at all and being physically more talented doesnt' mean you can win a duel. At this point even with Haney mentally falling apart, I'd still slightly favor Haney over 12. Bad thing for Hitchins is that he's about to fight Paro and Paro has been feasting on guys at that level and a bit higher. If Hitchins were to beat Paro, I'd pick him over Haney in a heartbeat.
Strongly dislike Haney but Hitchins is probably on the same level as Prograis going off his last few fights and career. I have to say Haney comfy points sadly. Hitchins V Paro is a nice fight though.
I actually agree that he is. Bad thing for him is I don't think he's all that much more of a puzzle for Paro than Montana Love was
No matter who wins both guys would feel extra validated by the end because THE HUGGING WOULD BE OFF THE CHARTS. Somebody come up with CompuHug to count them.
