Derrick Harmon goes back to the day he discovered Devin Haney and helped him become a world champion.
When Haney was eight years old, his father, trainer and manager Bill, took his son to the gym after he got into a fight at school to try to stop him from fighting again.
Next up is light heavyweight world title challenger Hammon, who has found the ingredients to rise to the top. Bill Haney later credits Harmon for making him aware of his son’s potential, until Bill takes Devin out of school and tries to teach himself to live. They are on the streets, targeting those who can do it. way. Talent.
Haney will defend his WBC super lightweight title against Ryan Garcia on Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. With this, this game is probably one of the most popular. Haney closed out 2023 with a 12-round victory over Regis Prograis in San Francisco, before facing Vasiliy Lomachenko in Las Vegas, where Lomachenko defended his undisputed lightweight title. So not only does he enter Saturday’s fight as a favorite, but a fighter who may have reached his prime after years of showing great promise.
“Bill took his son to the gym – I believe because he was having trouble in school – and asked if I could teach him,” Harmon said. “I said, ‘Yes I can.’ The first day I taught him how to punch because I think that’s the biggest punch in boxing. He may not be the strongest boxer, but he can do it all – you can do whatever you want to do and stop your opponent from doing what he wants to do. need it.
– That’s the first thing I always teach, if you look at boxing, you look at who has the better jab; the better the rhythm, the better the athlete. If you watch him run, you can see his rhythm. If you watch a swimmer, you can see his rhythm. So what I did was try to make a tape for Devin and teach him the jab. – I’ve been working with Devin for a few months before I got him in the ring, and there’s a kid who got in the ring with him who’s been in the gym for a few years, and when from Devan I a Vin ring. Ring, I was like, ‘Oh my God – this kid is a natural.’ He went as if it were his house; he knows his position; he knew what he was doing and I was amazed that a kid who had never competed in a boxing match was so talented; he knows what he’s doing. Never enter the ring wearing a hat and gloves.
‘This Kid Is A Natural’: The Discovery Of Devin Haney, Aged Eighthttps://t.co/xmMDTn5ajW
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– When Bill came back to get him, I said, “Bill, you have your hero – this kid is a family hero.” I knew it from the beginning. I know. He is the 135-pound champion.
– His ability to listen; His ability to be consistent; He was strong. “Devin, what I want you to do is go out there and use your jab, and everything I’m teaching you to follow,” and he did. He was able to escape from his arms and use his legs; [Apparently] This kid has 20 fights.
– When he first entered the ring, you thought he was a bit shy; Not German. Devin steps in like he knows his position and you’ve seen him work in a fight. He walks in and it’s Devon. His skills and positions are now the same as when I coached him as a child. He knew where he stood; he knew what he was doing; he knows his talent; he knows his skills in life and that’s it. I’ve never really seen that from a kid in a boxing gym. I was impressed that he knew where he was and what he had to do from the beginning.
– I know that if he continues – I know that if he dedicates himself to this sport – he can become a world champion. His talent amazed me at the time. Now I’m totally amazed that he was able to take the undisputed 135 pound title.
In 2001, Hammon played 10 games against Roy Jones Jr., who probably had more skill and athleticism than anyone else.
Hammon’s career at Top Rank has also brought him into contact with the Haney family as Devin Haney, 25, the same age as Garcia, has three fights under the sponsor – he also has a victory in Australia A win over George Kambosos Jr and the win. Ukraine. wonderful study.
“What I’m saying is that it just comes to him, you can teach a kid different things, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to understand them,” Harmon continued. – I taught him to use his legs; how to use his jab, and when I say it’s natural for him, he always knows what to do. He knew immediately.
——I can teach you, but I can’t give you natural skills. Whether you have it or not, he always knows what his talent is. I believe that people are born with two things – talent and talent. Boxing is a kind of talent, the reason I say it’s a talent is because it has a long life, like a carton of milk in the fridge. He knew exactly what the property was and what to do, as if he had been there before. “Has this kid been in the ring before?” No, this is the first time, so I’m surprised. When his father came back, I met his father at the door. – Listen, Bill – What you have here is a very talented kid, a smart kid, what it takes to be a world champion. Did you know? He continued to compete in various competitions. Be professional; today we are heroes. He didn’t just do it; He was highly praised; he’s just a good kid. I’m proud of him and I’m proud of the leadership that Bill and he achieved.
– One can look good with gloves. The test is to put them in the ring and see what they can do. I teach clubs with a lot of people, but I think it’s good. I didn’t think, “Oh, he’s fast,” “He’s strong.” Who knows, if you don’t bother? The muscle pushed him into the ring. When you encounter problems, two things happen. Muscle does not tell you that you are weak or strong; trouble does not tell you that you are weak or strong. Pain teaches you who you are and what you are made of. He told me and showed me who he was. I saw a championship, but I didn’t see the importance of it.
– Success comes from persistence – Year one – Learning and Persistence. Not all heroes are fast; physical strength; You have some slow soldiers. You have some heroes who don’t have a jab; You have heroes who are not learning; You have heroes who have no weapon power; Who holds the bond; who will be punished; he who is strong, he is the one who benefits.
– Devin is strong; Now you see a child who is committed to sports all the time; This is a success. He has all the physical skills needed to be a champion. [But] it’s about honesty, discipline and consistency. That’s what Devin did. This requires more than just talent. He used his skills and added everything necessary to achieve his goals, and I am very proud of him.
