Devin Haney Clears Up Champion in Recess Confusion
Shortly after his last fight with Alfredo Santiago, WBC world lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (24-0, 15 KO’s) discovered that he would require shoulder surgery. Soon after, the WBC announced that they were reclassifying Haney as a ‘champion in recess.’
As a result, it was then planned for Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (35-2-1, 24 KO’s) to face Luke Campbell (20-3, 16 KO’s) for his vacant belt. Well that was all before COVID-19 threw the entire planet into disarray. Now, Haney has sufficiently healed from his surgery and rehab and is eager to get back into the swing of things, as he explained in an exclusive interview with Fight Hype.
I AM STILL THE CHAMP!!
The WBC’s ‘champion in recess’ declaration and plans around Fortuna and Campbell fighting for the belt caused a fair amount of confusion. Even Haney himself misspoke in an interview stating that he had been stripped of his title, which was not actually the case. So since he is still the champion, Haney feels that it’s only right, and logical, to resume his career right where he left.
At the time that he stepped away to take care of his shoulder, Fortuna had already been greenlit as his mandatory challenger. With this being the case, Haney figured the simplest way to proceed is to simply face El Abejon as previously planned. Once, done Luke Campbell would then be free to come in and fight the victor.
“I’m still the champion, I am still champion in recess. Some people saw that they did an interview and I said that I got stripped of the world title, which I didn’t get stripped. I made a mistake and people were quoting me, ‘oh Devin Haney is stripped!’ Devin Haney is not stripped, Devin Haney is still the champion in recess!”
“As of now, we are talking to the WBC because we are trying to make, well since they [Fortuna and Campbell] haven’t fought, they haven’t come to an agreement to fight because of the coronavirus and all that’s going on. I think that it knocked their fight off and they have no fight scheduled or anything right now, and because obviously no one knows when this is going to be over.”
“So now that I’m back and I’m healthy and I am willing to fight my mandatory, Javier Fortuna or Luke Campbell, but Javier Fortuna is the mandatory, why not let me fight them? Fight Javier Fortuna. And then Luke Campbell can fight the winner.”
THE LIGHTS SHINE ON THE CHAMP
The Dream makes some good technical points when stating his case as to why he should square-up with Fortuna first. However, beyond the litigation underlining the matter, Haney just doesn’t see Fortuna v Campbell being must see TV. Beyond just himself, Haney doesn’t believe that many of the fans do either.
“Nobody is even paying attention to Javier Fortuna or Luke Campbell, nobody even cares. Honestly, they were just about to fight, did anyone care about watching Javier Fortuna or Luke Campbell? Just tell me the truth…nobody even cares and they were supposed to be fighting for the WBC world title. And then the winner fights me for the whole thing or whatever because I am still champion.”
It will be interesting to see how the situation resolves itself. Haney’s stance on the matter is clear as day. For El Abejon, the chance to face Haney may be the more desirable option as well. That’s because it’s always more respectable to take the title from the champion rather than collecting a vacant strap.
So long as Campbell was guaranteed a shot at the winner, he shouldn’t have a terrible problem waiting for them to handle their business. Guess we’ll just have to sit tight and wait to see. In any event, stay tuned to 3kingsboxing for all the latest boxing news and updates.
By: Bakari Simpson
