Eddie Hearn: “We Are Working On A New Contract For Devin Haney”

Eddie Hearn trying to resign Devin Haney

In his last fight, WBC World Lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (26-0, 15 KO’s) accomplished a lot. In Jorge Linares, he fought his most accomplished competition to date, he boxed beautifully and he successfully braved his first major episode of adversity. Along with being a wonderful bout for his professional growth and maturity, it was his last fight contracted to Matchroom Boxing. Two years ago the native Californian signed to Matchroom Boxing, who airs their fights through the boxing app DAZN.

Since signing with Matchroom, Haney has staged six bouts with the most notable names being Yuriorkis Gamboa and Jorge Linares. Throughout their partnership together, Team Haney and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom have only expressed mutual satisfaction. Yet now it is time to put that relationship to the test. Free of his obligation to fight for Matchroom, it will be interesting to see if Haney goes elsewhere.

Unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez and former three division world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko are in the Top Rank stable. Would Haney entertain joining that camp to enhance his chances of landing those bouts? There is a possibility but probably not a big one considering how much dirt Bob Arum has kicked on his name. Perhaps Haney will head to the PBC with regular WBA World Lightweight champion Gervonta Davis on his mind. That would be a huge fight in the division.

CHECKING TRAPS

There is no doubt that The Dream has options. Yet if Hearn has his way, he is already in the process of retaining Haney for the second time.

“We are actually working on a new contract at the moment, that was his last fight [Jorge Linares] with us. We are happy to extend it, so is he, planning out the future and looking at opportunities. He does have a mandatory which is the winner of [Joseph] “Jo Jo” Diaz against [Javier] Fortuna, but we’d love to make the Ryan Garcia fight or the Teofimo Lopez fight.

[On working with Top Rank]… we can make that fight [Haney/Lopez] on ESPN, no problem! I’m happy to make that fight on DAZN, ESPN wherever. I’m happy to look at opportunities for Devin and very similar to the Canelo [Alvarez] relationship as well.”

Only time will tell who Haney ultimately signs with. Yet regardless of who it is with, 3kingsboxing will be there to report the news.

By: Bakari Simpson

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