Former WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney can’t catch a break! Since his fight against Ryan Garcia, the Las Vegas resident seems to have found himself on the wrong end of public opinion. This was in full display just the other day when ‘The Dream’ decided to take shots at the legendary actor Sylvester Stallone, who starred in the beloved ‘Rocky’ movies.

Haney is currently in talks to face Jose Ramirez on the May card, which will also feature his arch-enemy, Ryan Garcia, fighting Rolly Romero. Regardless, the question is, what sparked the animosity between Haney and Stallone? Surprisingly, it all traces back to a seemingly harmless social media post that ignited the feud.

Devin Haney slams Sylvester Stallone

On January 23rd, Source of Boxing shared a clip on X, which Stallone had intended for his fans on social media to watch. The ‘Rocky’ star spoke about how things have gotten much easier for people in general, but he opened the video using boxing gloves as an example. “They don’t even allow these today because they’re so dangerous,” Stallone said about the gloves he used in the movies.

“But that’s what they used when I did the film. They’re barely six ounces,” he said. “They’re Reyes and they’re literally lethal. So I still have them because it’s a time when people were tougher.” Stallone claimed that it’s a good thing that life has gotten easier, but “I think when we force ourselves into tough situations, that’s what the human creature is supposed to do.”

Later in the video, Stallone added, “I cherish these moments, I cherish hard work, even though I hate it, I know.” This video seems to have rubbed Devin Haney in the wrong way, as he responded on X a couple of days later, writing, “Dude don’t know a left hook from a fish hook.. & got the nerve to speak on times being easier in boxing like he wasn’t just an actor.. buddy them rocky movies wasn’t real.”

This garnered Haney a lot of backlash from all directions, so yesterday, he took to X to make things right by issuing a short statement. “Sylvester Stallone is a legend.. & I have nothing but love for the whole rocky series,” Haney wrote. However, it was too late and fans weren’t willing to let this one slide.

Haney’s statement met with pitchforks

The Rocky films have always been more than just movies—they’re cultural touchstones. Haney’s inability to recognize this depth or the backlash that would follow shows a surprising lack of foresight. WBO lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez joined the conversation and lashed out at Haney. “Shut that shii up! You said what you said about Sly. Don’t backtrack now, ya bum,” he wrote. Fans seem to have a similar take on Haney’s statement.

One user warned Haney about his future in boxing. “Thankfully Ryan Garcia will retire you from boxing once & for all‼️🥊🙏🏼 Alhamdullilah 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼,” the user wrote. During their first fight, despite being the underdog, Garcia dropped Haney three times en route to a majority decision win. However, the result was overturned when Ostarine was found in Garcia’s system.

The next user mocked Haney, suggesting there’s no end to his antics. “It just gets better and better with this guy. Smh,” the user wrote. In the past year, Devin Haney has seen his reputation dragged through the mud, especially because of his lawsuit against Garcia.

Another user criticized Haney for going back on what he originally said about Stallone. “You backpedaled faster than when ur actually in a ring 😭,” the user wrote. Haney’s attempt to make amends is understandable—after all, if fans dislike him, they won’t tune in to his fights, which directly impacts his earnings.

Someone else speculated why Haney criticized Stallone and then started backpedaling. “You just got PTSD from ‘Left hooks,’” the user wrote. The user is mocking Haney’s insults towards Stallone, where he said Stallone can’t differentiate between a left hook and a fish hook.

That said, it appears Devin Haney needs to surrender his X account to a PR person rather than write his tweets himself. This way his already tarnished reputation won’t take more hits. What do you think? Does Haney regret his comments about Sylvester Stallone?