Devin Haney Keeping Options Open- Gervonta Davis Next?
It’s a crowded picture at the top of the Lightweight Division and one of the WBC’s “Lightweight Champions” is looking at his options. So, the question now is: will Devin Haney get a large fight soon, if not, next?
Hearn told host Nestor Gibbs about the unbeaten Californian Haney’s contractual situation,
“Look Devin Haney has come through that test with Linares (in May), He wants all of those guys, whether it’s Tank (Davis), whether it’s Teofimo (Lopez), whether it’s Ryan Garcia….Right now, we’re in a position with Devin where we just want to keep our options open. So that there’s no excuse why people shouldn’t fight him,” Hearn said Tuesday.
“Right now, we’re working together moving forward. We have no contractual paperwork with DAZN. but he’s happy to fight on the platform… but at the same time I don’t want to give someone an excuse to say, ‘no, we can’t because of’ …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.”
More on the “no problem” part in a moment.
First, as Hearn referenced, Haney was impressive in his May 29th battle with the veteran, Jorge Linares. As we wrote then, he also had to come through being stunned late in the 12 round bout. But, in the end Haney remained 26-0 by unanimous decision and is clearly pointing towards a large fight next. Haney retaining his version of the WBC’s Lightweight crown in the process.
Would that large fight be against the likes of Davis, who just won his own battle in Atlanta two weekends ago against Mario Barrios? Probably not.
That’s where the “no problem” from the Hearn/Haney point of view is actually a problem.
It’s because Premier Boxing Champions and Mayweather Promotions will be insistent that Haney sign a multi-fight deal with PBC to get at one of their biggest stars. This, as it’s part of the continuing “turf war” battles that PBC has had with Matchroom, Top Rank Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions about having their fighters want to fight PBC fighters over the past 3-4 years.
In any event, as we also wrote on Tuesday, Davis and Ryan Garcia may be the bout that both are aiming for late this year. Garcia, while with Golden Boy, is the much bigger name and draw for a possible PPV showdown.
So, the rising star Haney can keep his options open, but it isn’t likely he’ll get in the Davis picture any time soon.
Unless, the next part of his “no problem” is Haney agreeing to fight long term for PBC/Showtime/Fox.
A veteran broadcaster of over 25 years, T.J. has been a fight fan longer than that! He’s the host of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast and will go “toe to toe” with anyone who thinks that Marvin Hagler beat Sugar Ray Leonard or that Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Deontay Wilder could have beaten Ali!
