Haney Believes Lomachenko’s Team is the Problem!
Since the moment that Devin “The Dream” Haney (23-0, 15 KO’s) stepped into the professional ranks he has had his mind set on big things. So far, he has performed in stellar fashion. To begin, the soon to be 21 year-old became the youngest fighter to have his own promotional company, Devin Haney Promotions.
Next, he secured a beneficial multi-million-dollar co-promotional deal with Matchroom Promotions. Most recently, the Dream was elevated to the full WBC world lightweight champion.
POISONOUS POLITICS
Overall, The Dream was happy with the fact that he was named the full WBC lightweight champion. Still, the situation was rather bitter-sweet. Had Haney been given his preference, he would have actually fought unified lightweight Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KO’s).
Loma had just won the lightweight belt himself on August 31, when he defeated Luke Campbell. Yet, without holding the belt for 90 days, or making a single title defense, the WBC decided to name Hi-Tech as their second Franchise Champion.
In general, this new Franchise champion status has been met with disdain by most in the boxing world. Building on the problem, not even the WBC can explain the new status very well. The biggest gripe is based on the facts that the belt can only be appointed by the WBC. Compounding issues are that it cannot be lost even if the champion is defeated and the Franchise champion is not required to fight anyone.
All of these quizzical elements have most people asking, “What’s the point?” Outside of blatant politics and overt favoritism, it’s hard to find a solid rationale for the creation of the new status.
HATING HANDLERS
Personally, Haney would have much preferred to fight Lomachenko for the strap over having it literally handed to him as expressed in an interview with FightHype. Like all fighters who are serious about their legacies, the Dream understands that his overall greatness will be determined by the formidable boxers that he did or did not face. This is the chief reason why he wanted to add Hi-Tech’s name to his growing resume.
“I mean, of course I would have rather fought for the world title. I fought my way up the ranks but I would have rather have won it in a fight. But you know things happen in boxing and I was demanding the fight with whoever and this is just how it played out.
“[…] It’s a dream come true. I’m happy that I’m world champion, especially at this young of an age. I said that in 2019 that I would become world champion and it happened, you know. In 2020 I’m looking to make the biggest fights happen.”
Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of individuals who are of the mind state that Loma is blatantly ducking Haney. For those in this camp, they believe that Lomachenko sees a young, talented boxer who is far more trouble than he is worth. So rather than give him the opportunity, Loma has chosen to chase less threatening opposition. This is how Haney feels in part.
In Haney’s estimation, the well-skilled Hi-Tech is not ducking any smoke, but his backers are. So even though Haney was denied a legacy-enhancing super fight, he holds no serious grudge against Loma the fighter.
“Honestly, I think that its Loma’s team. I think Loma, if he had his way, I think that he would fight me. I don’t think that it’s necessarily him. I think that his team knows that I’m a huge threat and there are some easier fights out there.
“Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank have worked together on numerous fights this year. So I think the fight could be made, but I think his team feels like there is easier opponents out there.”
By: Bakari Simpson
