Bill Haney Suggests Devin May Challenge Keith Thurman Next!
When former undisputed lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (30-0, 15 KO’s) next slides in the ring, he will do so as a super lightweight. It will be his first time competing in the division. In that contest, The Dream will face the rugged challenge of WBC 140-pound champion Regis Prograis. While many think that Haney will prevail, some are wondering if the size is too much. Clearly, Team Haney is not too worried about it because Bill Haney, Devin’s father and chief second, has his eyes on welterweight Keith “One Time” Thurman (30-1, 22 KO’s).
When speaking with Fight Hype, Bill Haney dropped the bomb that he and his son are already looking for bigger and more dangerous conquests.
“It [the welterweight division] was cooling off and Devin decided that he might be putting his pinky toe in it, you dig what I am saying? And see what it is against a hell of a competitor, a hell of a champion, future Hall of Famer in Keith Thurman. Some might say that’s a mountain that is too tall to climb. I reserve the right to just invite Mr. Thurman out to watch on December 9!”
PROGRESSION OF PAIN
It should go without saying that first we must see how Haney handles his assignment with Prograis. Given his heavy hands and previous experience in big time fights, there is a real potential that Prograis proves to be too much for The Dream. Even if Haney wins, he could do so by barely scraping by. In either scenario, a potential duel with Thurman would be rather impractical.
Now, if The Dream slides through the ropes and smokes Prograis, then a showdown with One Time would become that much more intriguing. It would also help to further reinforce the fact that Devin Haney is consistently searching out the biggest challenges possible. Prior to Prograis, The Dream’s last five opponents were: Yuriorkis Gamboa, Jorge Linares, Joseph Diaz, George Kambosos (twice) and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
In particular, in his first fight with Kambosos, he became undisputed. Furthermore, he staged both bouts on enemy territory as a result of traveling to Australia. In Lomachenko, Haney faced the talented former champion who many regard as one of, if not, the most talented boxers in the divisions. A duel with Thurman would continue this consistent upward progression.
FOURTH TIMES A CHARM?
While some fans may begin salivating at the mouth daydreaming about this match, it’s rather unlikely to happen. This is said based on Thurman’s track record in the division. Traditionally speaking, One Time has passed on prizefights with Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr. and Jaron Ennis. In one and all of these side steps, Thurman stated that their lack of accomplishment in the division was the foundation of his rationale for not wanting to fight.
Given this consistency, it’d be hard to envision him switching up to face a fighter who has only fought one fight in a neighboring division. Then again, One Time might have a change of heart. This is because passing on Crawford, Spence and Ennis all came back to bite him, professionally and with his reputation among the fans.
First, though, we must see what Haney does in against Prograis. On December 9, all talks about Thurman could quickly turn into fool’s gold. Then again, it might be more interesting than ever. We’ll just have to wait to see what happens on December 9.
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