Devin Haney talks summer return and being the boogeyman at lightweight!
Even though he is sidelined with injury, WBC world lightweight champion in recess Devin “The Dream” Haney (24-0, 15 KO’s) is in very bright spirits. Despite the minor physical setback, life for the 21 year-old boxing dynamo is an open oyster.
He has secured a strategic and financially lucrative co-promotional deal with his own Devin Haney Promotions and Matchroom Boxing. Matchroom is spearheaded by the UK’s slick talking multi-continent promoter Eddie Hearn. To claim the belt, the Dream tossed Zaur Abdullaev (11-1, 7 KO’s) a cruel beating and broke his face to boot.
And all within in four rounds!
Although for Haney, best of all is knowing that when he does return to the ring he will be able to immediately challenge for a title. That stands no matter if he returns to the lightweight division or moves up to junior welterweight. In any event, during an exclusive interview with Trill Boxing Talk, Haney speculated that he will be putting his paws on his next foe come this June or July.
“[on return date] Yes, June or July.”
WHOS NEXT?!
In terms of the level of competition he wants in his next fight, Haney was firm in that he sought the best available. Taking a soft touch is the furthest thing from his mind. The Dream is on a mission to prove that he is the best and unseat as many top notch fighters as possible.
Not only does he not care about the order, Haney insists the bigger the better. Trouble is, he says that his premiere opponents are not stepping up to the plate.
“I’m the boogeyman in the 135lbs division and nobody is calling me out! Whether it’s him [Teofimo Lopez] , whether its Tank, whether its anybody…Lomachenko, none of them three guys have called me out! I called all three of them out.
“None of them called me out, that’s not a coincidence!
“I just don’t see it! There is not that many coincidences in the world. How none of these guys are calling me out. Like this is unbelievable! I have called all these guys out, these guys are calling each other out, but when it comes to me its like, its weird.”
There has been one lightweight phenom in particular that has called the champ out. The undefeated Ryan Garcia of Golden Boy Promotions has recently took to social media claiming he would like to fight Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Haney.
Furthermore, he stated that all of the top guns at lightweight should be facing each other!
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what fight The Dream can secure for his midyear return. On a side note, before the injury, the WBC came forth and ordered Haney face former WBA “regular”junior lightweight champion now #1 ranked contender Javier Fortuna. With Haney out, the organization may order Fortuna face #2 ranked Luke Campbell for the title.
If this is the case, expect The Dream to take a “stay-busy” fight as he awaits the winner of the two top rated contenders.
3kingsboxing will be here to cover it all regardless of the upcoming twists and turns!
By: Bakari Simpson
