Devin Haney is Focused on Getting All the Belts!
When “Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr (20-0, 1o KO’s) recently upset former unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, it sent a shockwave through the division. Yet that same shockwave put a smile on the face of WBC lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (26-0, 15 KO’s). This is because Kambosos has always come off as far more willing to face Haney as has Team Lopez. This initial mirth was slightly disturbed when the Dream got wind of Kambosos saying that he must look exciting in his December 4 clash with Joseph Diaz.
As is too often the case in the sport, Haney felt like this was simply Ferocious setting the stage with a reason to back away from the fight later. In his opinion, a win is a win and the form in which it came should be a secondary matter. When approached at the final media presser for the Diaz dustup, Haney shared his thoughts on the matter in greater depth with Fight Hype.
“At the end of the day, we already agreed on a fight, so what’s the point? Why do I need to impress him? I shouldn’t have to impress him at the end of the day. Make it happen for all the belts and it is what it is. It shouldn’t be ‘oh, I have to look impressive’. That’s some bullshit!”
WHY THE EXTRA HURDLES?!
The WBC champ feels this way because in his mind, so long as he is victorious, capturing all the belts is paramount to everything else. Some will say that it’s a fair statement for George Kambosos to make. Now that he is armed with the WBA super, WBO and IBF titles, he has a plethora of options now at his disposal. Haney on the other hand feels that this is merely a flimsy excuse.
“Man, let’s make it happen for all the belts! Because at the end of the day I have options too. I can go explore a Ryan Garcia fight and probably make more money. Yeah, I would make more money. I could go explore a Gervonta Davis fight and I will make more money.
“Even a Teofimo fight, I would make more money. But I want the belts! It’s definitely not just about the money, I want to be undisputed. But it all starts with December 4.”
FIRST THINGS FIRST
One thing that Haney is undeniably correct about is the fact if he does not handle business on December 4, then all the other talk is pointless. So regardless of how he wins, the main focus at the moment is simply to emerge victorious. Provided that he does defeat Diaz, then we can resume this discussion of finally setting up a bout to crown the undisputed champion of the division. First though, let’s just hope that we are treated to a fun and entertaining scrap on December 4. Yet, regardless of who wins or how, 3kingsboxing will be there to report the news!
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By: Bakari Simpson
