Joseph Diaz states Devin Haney wants no smoke
Since the beginning of his tenure as champion, WBC lightweight champion Devin “The Dream’ Haney (26-0, 15 KO’s) has struggled to find premium competition. Despite there being plenty of viable opposition available, none of them have stepped up to the plate. Sure, unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, regular WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia have all feigned interest in the fight. Yet, when it comes down to it, none have proven willing to sign on the dotted line.
Like Ryan Garcia, former super featherweight champion Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz (32-1-1, 15 KO’s) actually bypassed a bout with Haney even while being his mandatory challenger. Ironically, neither Diaz nor Garcia have announced a better option since their sidesteps. In fact, neither have announced another opponent period. Yet, when asked via his social media, Diaz was quick to point the blame at Devin Haney himself.
FACT OR FICTION?
For some, this will come off as a reasonable explanation, but it will clearly sounds like a firm session of ducking for others. Some have found it curious that Jo Jo has not been far more forceful in trying to secure the fight. In his last outing, he toppled Javier Fortuna to become the interim WBC 135-pound champion. At that point, Diaz could have immediately pressed for the Haney showdown. Instead, the first name that came spilling out his mouth was Ryan Garcia.
Moreover, some would ask, if Diaz wanted the fight and Haney hadn’t spoken up, why not send your own term sheet? What could possibly hurt? Yet, to hold his strategic position and sit there twiddling his thumbs first forward and then back is not a good look. It’s not like Jo Jo is not thinking about sliding back in the ring. By his own hand, he’s hinted that big news is just around the corner. So, it will be very telling to first see if any announcement is made whatsoever, and then to see who this mystery adversary is. If they are not on par with Davin Haney, this will certainly not improve Diaz’s reputation in the division.
By: Bakari Simpson
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