Devin Haney Swings And Misses; Selects Yuriorkis Gamboa As Next Opponent
3kingsboxing.com has learned unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (24-0, 15KOs) will make the second defense of his title against former unified featherweight champion Yuriokis Gamboa (30-3, 18KOs) on November 7.
WHY GAMBOA?
The selection of Gamboa is a head scratcher, although not shocking. We have known for months that Haney vs Gamboa was a possibility. However, there was genuine hope the WBC champ would take on WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell (31-1, 18KOs) following recent negotiations happening. Yet, after all the hoopla and going back and forth through social media, the fight unsurprisingly did not materialize.
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Haney has called out pretty much every fighter in his division. Still, none of those fights have materialized and not necessarily by his fault. However, this selection for a guy that talks as much as he does is a frustrating one.
Yes he is 21 years-old and needs more experience. However to gain more experience, you need to step-up your level of competition. Granted Gamboa is former Olympic Gold Medalist for Cuba and former unified champion, but what he is not in 2020, is a top contender. He is long past his prime at the age of 38, coming off a torn Achilles’ tendon against Gervonta Davis and has been out of the ring nearly a year.
While I get the appeal that Gamboa’s name has, there are simply better options for Haney to have chosen from. With former champions like Javier Fortuna (35-2-1, 24KOs) and Jorge Linares (47-5, 29KOs) available, why not choose them? They are better fighters at this stage in their careers, have been active and have both shown interest in a fight with Haney.
Be as it will, Haney v Gamboa will go down November 7. Let us just hope after this Haney takes a step up in competition in 2021.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
