Gary Russell Jr talks failed negotiations with Devin Haney
WBC featherweight champion “Mr” Gary Russell (31-1, 18KOs) was involved in negotiations a few months back with unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (25-0, 15KOs). This immediately after some “back and forth” took place on social media. However, as time went on the negotiations ultimately fell through.
Speaking to Rick Mohamed of Brawlers Sports Media, Russell said the following about the talks with Haney.
“I honestly don’t think the fight was ever really gonna take place. I think the Haney’s and them was just trying to hype something up.
“You know if you seen one of the last few videos I put up on my Instagram page, I’ve been talking to Devin Haney’s dad. Before the pandemic we’ve been in communication because that’s the fight I wanted. You know I was willing to move up in weight and fight Devin Haney, but they sent the term sheet and the term sheet didn’t have a network, the network we were competing on wasn’t included and the promotion that’s on it wasn’t included.
“So basically you’re giving me blank check. Basically they wanted me to sign this paper and they were gonna try and go back to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom and them and say ‘hey we got Gary, what do you think about this fight this, that, and the third?’
“That’s not how you do business.”
RELATED: Bill Haney Admits DAZN & Matchroom Not Interested in Gary Russell Jr Fight!
Obviously there were some major errors on the part of team Haney in how they went about trying to secure this fight. Now with the Gamboa fight in the past, could all parties from both sides reignite talks?
That’s certainly possible especially if Haney can’t secure a fight with unified lightweight champion Teofimo “El Brooklyn” Lopez. Also a possibility is the winner of the upcoming WBC title eliminator between Ryan Garcia and Luke Campbell.
Regardless of who both Haney and Russell chooses to fight next, there’s no shortages of big fights for either man moving forward.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
Interview By: Ricardo Mohamed
