Report- With Ryan Garcia Injured Haney-Diaz Will Happen December

On Friday afternoon an actual moment of logic and common sense match making has apparently become a reality. This as unbeaten, WBC Lightweight Champ Devin Haney will reportedly face contender and former Jr. Lightweight world champ, Jo Jo Diaz, in early December.

ESPN boxing insider Mike Coppinger reported Friday afternoon that Haney-Diaz will happen the first weekend in December in Las Vegas and just a week after Teofimo Lopez puts the Undisputed 135 lb. crown on the line against George Kambosos in New York,

Sources: @Realdevinhaney and @JosephDiazJr have agreed to a lightweight title fight Dec. 3 or 4 in Las Vegas. Contracts not signed but should be completed in coming days. Massive two-week stretch for Eddie Hearn/DAZN in loaded 135-pound division. Teofimo-Kambosos on Nov. 27

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) October 22, 2021

Diaz was to have been the opponent next month for the former WBC #1 Lightweight contender, Ryan Garcia. However, as we wrote earlier this week, the popular, unbeaten Garcia suffered a right hand injury in training that required surgery and will sideline him until at least January or later.

So, that made the path to a Haney title defense with Diaz much easier, and Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn was able to get his two fighters to agree.

Hear us discussing the Lightweight title picture, plus an interview with WBO Jr. Lightweight titleholder, Jamel Herring, in advance of his Saturday night defense with Shakur Stevenson on our “Big Fight Weekend Podcast” by clicking below,

Haney, 26-0, 15 KOs, was last in the ring in an impressive 12 round decision showing over Jorge Linares in May. Haney has been seeking either a higher profile title opponent or the chance to get Lopez in the ring to settle who’s the champ at 135 lb., once and for all.

For his part Diaz, the former IBF Jr. Lightweight champ, also took care of business this Summer with a 12 round domination of Javier Fortuna in L.A. That win improved the 28 year old Diaz to 32-1-1 and it looked like he would be across from Garcia in a WBC Eliminator fight.

Now, it appears Diaz gets the bigger fight (and purse) to challenge Haney.

For his part, the challenger made clear also on Friday that it has been Haney holding up the finalizing of their deal,

He want a rematch Clause in there that’s why it taking so long to get it done 🙄 But we’ll give him the beating twice if he want it. I’m making sure this fight happens for the fans 💪🏽 https://t.co/45SlaSGKcR

— Joseph Diaz (@JosephDiazJr) October 22, 2021

Although it’s not all the time, it is common on occasion for a champion to demand a one-way rematch clause that is only for him. And, that is what Diaz is referring to in his tweet.

Now we wait for the official word on whether the bout will be Saturday December 3rd or Sunday night December 4th?

The good news is that these two fights are in back to back weeks and the winners may likely meet in the first half of 2022.