Eddie Hearn: “Devin Haney Has No Contractual Paperwork With DAZN”

Eddie Hearn confirms that Devin Haney is a free agent

WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney with Eddie Hearn
Devin Haney with Eddie Hearn

Eddie Hearn confirms that Devin Haney is a free agent


Within the 135-pound division, WBC World lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (26-0, 15 KO’s) has called out everyone. In fact, he’s called out the major names and champions more times than can easily be remembered. Despite his vigilance, Haney has been unsuccessful in securing the big time fights that he is looking for. He got something of a bone tossed his way when he last slid through the ropes to tangle with Jorge Linares. While Linares was not the game wanted to be hunting, he was his most dangerous and credible opponent to date.

For the better part of it, The Dream thoroughly outclassed Linares minus a minor snag in the tenth period. After dominating the round, Haney was clipped and buzzed in the final moment of the round. To his credit though, the Californian fighter recovered well and finished the match in dominating fashion. Now he’s looking to resume his hunt for the biggest fights in the division.

FREE AS A BIRD

Recently Haney had to make a business decision regarding who would represent him. Despite owning his own promotional company, Haney Promotions, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing has essentially functioned as his promoter. Due to his affiliation with Hearn, Haney has had his recent matches aired on DAZN who Hearn is partnered with.

Nevertheless, The Dream’s contract with Matchroom was expiring and Haney needed to either re-sign or move on. Yet, according to Eddie Hearn while speaking on the ThaBoxingVoice, the WBC 135-pound champion is doing a little bit of both. On the one hand, Haney will not formally resign with Matchroom but Hearn will continue to be his lead promotional liaison.

“He wants all of those guys, whether it’s Tank [Gervonta Davis], Teofimo [Lopez] whether it’s Ryan Garcia. I saw Floyd’s [Mayweather] comments about ‘we’re only fighting guys in the PBC,” and that’s a shame! I think that limits your opportunity to be a great. But that being said, right now we are in a position with Devin where we just want to keep our options open so that there is no excuse why people shouldn’t fight him.”

“So right now, we are working together moving forward. He has no contractual paperwork with DAZN but he is happy to fight on the platform. He wants to continue that relationship. But at the same time, I don’t want to give someone an excuse to say, ‘no we can’t because of…” So, right now if Devin Haney wants to fight Teofimo Lopez on ESPN, no problem. If Devin Haney wants to fight Tank Davis on FOX, no problem. If Devin Haney wants to fight Ryan Garcia on DAZN, no problem because I think everyone is getting a bit tired of ‘we can’t do that because of this’.”

With this newfound flexibility, it will be interesting to see if Haney can finally obtain the fights he truly wants. No matter how it all shakes out, 3kingsboxing will be here to report the story.

By: Bakari Simpson

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About Bakari S.2873 Articles
Bakari is a Senior Writer for 3kingsboxing.com. Visit cheetahhead.com to view more of his literary work.