Team Haney is looking for Javier Fortuna!
WBC lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (25-0, 15ko) has been finding it hard to get that one marquee fight. In 2019, The Dream became the youngest world champion after the WBC organization hit then unified champion Vasiliy Lomachenko with the “franchise tag”. As a result, Haney was elevated from Interim titlist to full championship status.
Team Haney has been trying to get fights with some of the top names in and outside the division. From two-division champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis, four-divisional champion Adrien Broner, mandatory challenger Ryan Garcia, and unified champion Teofimo Lopez. No matter who they called out nobody took the bait.
However, they can find an opportunity by looking back at a fight from the past. While searching for an opponent, one name has resurfaced, Former WBA junior lightweight champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (36-2-1, 25ko).
The Dominican born fighter is a creditable name being ranked #2 by the WBC and he is a top ten rated fighter in the division. Furthermore, a victory over the former champion would add value to Haney’s resume. Moreover, Fortuna has looked impressive in his last two bouts winning by devastating knockout.
REVISITING A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
These two fighters are no strangers to each other. In 2019, the WBC ordered Haney to defend the title against the El Abejon. There was a purse bid set in case the teams could not reach an agreement.
The fight never materialized after The Dream discovered he would require surgery on his right shoulder, forcing the organization to reclassify him as “champion in recess.” In 2020, COVID-19 shut everything down and Haney fully recovered with the organization reinstating him as the champion once again.
Haney took to social media calling out Fortuna, letting him know he could still get that work. Since being unable to land the bigger names in the division, The Dream is entertaining a fight with the Dominican fighter once again.
Father/trainer Bill Haney in an interview with 3kingsboxing and Pro Beez of Pep Talk UK, was very vocal in calling out the former junior lightweight champion.
“I haven’t heard from Javier Fortuna. Where are you at Javier Fortuna? We have been looking for you since SHOBOX days. You come out of the bushes! Stop hiding where ever you are Javier Fortuna. You know we are looking for you. You can get it now! Not next now!”
By: Garrisson Bland
Interview Conducted By: Pro Beez & Garrisson Bland
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