Haney Has Unification Options Thanks To Garcia Bungling Weight

Might Haney Grow his Legacy With a 140-Pound Unification?

In his last battle, for the first time professionally, WBC junior welterweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (31-1, 15 KO’s) took a loss. Worse than the loss itself, at the hands of Ryan Garcia, was the beating and accompanying visuals that came included. Luckily for The Dream, due to Garcia flubbing his opportunity, he still is the WBC champion, With the title, unifications with fellow champions Teofimo Lopez (WBO), Subriel Matias (IBF) and Isaac Cruz (WBA) remain very real possibilities.

ANYONE FOR GAME 8?

There is a solid plausibility in staging a rematch. King Ry would get the opportunity to double back and actually capture the title, make another juicy payday and add another chapter to his growing boxing legend with Haney.

If given his way, Haney would love to run it back with Garcia to get his pound of flesh. During their battle, The Dream controlled the better part of the first half of the duel. Furthermore, despite the three rounds of knockdowns and pure disaster, Haney weathered all storms. Given the gooey s’mores that his knees and joints were transformed into, this was no small feat.

UNIFICATION MUSICAL CHAIRS

Certainly there is logic and civility to be found in Garcia offering Haney an immediate rematch. However, there are likely better business opportunities for King Ry to enjoy. Assuming that Garcia does chase a bigger bag, The Dream still has very viable bouts to be made with his fellow champions.

He and WBO 140-pound champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (20-1, 13 KO’s) played professional footsie while both were stationed at lightweight without ever actually fighting. Lopez is coming off a less than stellar win over Jamaine Ortiz this past February 8. Many feel that The Takeover was awarded a gift decision in that affair.

In this light, both Haney and Lopez could use a solid win over a name brand opponent. Picking up a strap in the process would make this all the more sweet. Minus coming off of sour performances, IBF champ Subriel “El Orgullo de Maternillo” Matias (20-1, 20 KO’s) and WBA champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KO’s) would each also benefit greatly from snagging Haney’s scalp. That would stand even after this embarrassing loss.

ALL SYSTEMS GO?

The real question will be: how will Haney bounce back mentally from the defeat? Will he use it as fuel to become an even more efficient and tactical boxer, or will he return to the ring gun shy? Only time will tell. Thankfully though, when Devin Haney does opt to mosey back to the ring, facing a dangerous and capable foe should not be an issue!

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