Haney Considering Andre Ward As A Trainer

Devin Haney is looking to add Andre Ward to his corner for his upcoming November 22 fight against WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. 

Haney is looking to become a three-weight world champion, having already won titles at 140 and 147. He secured a unanimous decision win in his last fight against Jose Ramirez on May 2. It was his first fight since the no-contest against Ryan Garcia where he was dropped three times, only for Ryan’s win to get overturned once he failed VADA tests for Ostarine. While the win kept his perfect record i ntact, his defensive-first approach left a lot of criticism. 

Haney, who was trained by his father, Bill Haney, along with Shane Mosley and Nate Jones, for that fight is looking for something extra. Ward unified at 168 and 175, showing he has an elite boxing brain. However, being a trainer is a different matter. 

Is It A Good Move?

Haney’s decision to pursue a training partnership with Ward carries both significant risk. Ward, a former two-division world champion and Olympic gold medalist, was a master of the “sweet science.” He was known for his tactical brilliance, ring intelligence, and ability to control a fight at any range.

Ward’s philosophy is not just about not getting hit, but about making the opponent pay for every single mistake. For example, instead of just clinching aft er an opponent gets too close, Ward could teach Haney how to use his body to wear them down and create openings for his own shots. 

While Ward was an incredible fighter, his style was also highly defensive. This is precisely the criticism Haney has already been facing. Bringing in Ward could reinforce Haney’s safety-first tendencies rather than help him become more aggressive. 

Another major concern is the potential for clashing personalities. Haney has been working with his father, Bill Haney, for his entire career. A new voice in the corner, especially one as respected as Ward, could create friction or confusion. The transition could be difficult and could affect his performance in a crucial fight against a dangerous welterweight like Brian Norman Jr.