Eddie Hearn Doesn’t Know What to Do With “Crazy Money” Wanting Devin Haney

Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) has been largely inactive since his showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November. Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn wants to get him out of this inactivity, but his financial demands might just be keeping him out of reach.

Talking to iFLTV, Hearn admitted that Haney was asking for a sizeable sum and that he wouldn’t know which fights to secure for him if he signed him at those rates.

“I love Devin. We’ve talked, and if a fight made sense or a number made sense, but he wants crazy money,” he said. “You need someone that’s desperate to pay to overpay the marketplace. Bit like I did with him years ago. If I signed Devin, I just don’t know what I would do with him.”

Haney has been in a rather weird, stalled phase despite actually achieving a lot recently. His last major performance was winning the WBO welterweight title against Brian Norman Jr. in late 2025. However, since then, he’s been trying to line up big fights, including major talks with Rolando Romero, unifications, and even potential marquee matchups. Nothing materialized, mostly because negotiations keep breaking down over money and deal structure and this is exactly where Hearn’s criticism lies.

While Hearn doesn’t hold it against him, he believes that there is an upper limit to what could be paid for Haney’s performances.

“I love Devin, but Devin knows our number. He’s not really interested in that number. We’re not falling out, but if he can get a crazy deal from someone that really needs him or to make a statement, take it,” he said. “Devin against Ryan Garcia, Devin’s got great value. But Devin against just a defense, there’s a ceiling to the purse.”

“Matchroom Wasn’t #1”

Haney’s father, Bill Haney, on the other hand, did not sit quietly in the shadow of Hearn’s accusations. He quickly went to X to trash Matchroom and call out Hearn for a lack of loyalty.

“Matchroom wasn’t #1 when we signed. Now you are. Growth like that comes from the right partnerships. We stood with you when it mattered, but loyalty was never reciprocated,” he wrote.

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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