Devin Haney Outlines His Hitlist; Tank, Teofimo And Matias – ‘I’m The Guy That Steps Up’
Devin Haney has outlined his next targets after the Ryan Garcia fight.
The Dream defends his WBC Junior Welterweight Belt on April 20. Haney became a two-weight world champion, beating Regis Prograis in his last fight to acquire the belt. That followed his success at 135 pounds when he became the youngest-ever undisputed champion in the four-belt era. Haney had been linked with a move up to 147.
However, recently, he announced his desire to become undisputed at 140. Those comments went against his initial words of wanting to make the biggest fights for the most amount of money. But Haney has now reached a middle ground, targeting legacy fights that will earn him big paydays. He targeted Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez and Subriel Matias.
Haney Reacts
“Me and Tank, me and Matias, and me and Teo. I think so [the three fight will happen]. I’m the guy that steps up when nobody wants to. I’m the guy that steps in and saves the day. So, they might need me to save the day and go fight Matias. After this fight, if he wants to explore this fight and he’s with Eddie [Hearn], that fight can be made [with Matias].
“If Teo wants it, I’m over here with Top Rank right now. We can make that fight, too. It doesn’t matter. I want to make the biggest fights happen against the best fighters in the world because I truly believe I’m the best. I’m not just talking. I’m not on Twitter just saying this. [And] I’m for real. Of the younger guys, I’m the only one that’s doing it. Teo is doing it, too. Me and my dad worked hard to get to this position where I’m able to do that. I don’t sign no long term thing because I want to make the biggest fights happen, and I’ve been saying this for a while,” Haney stated
Will They Happen?
Fights with Lopez and Matias are the most likely. Lopez and Haney have had a rivalry since their days at 135 pounds. They were in line to take each other on, only for Lopez to lose his belts to George Kambosos Jr. Haney would then take on the Australian to become undisputed.
Lopez moved up to 140 and became the WBO Junior Welterweight Champion. Haney has fought under Top Rank before, signing a three-fight deal which included the two Kambosos fights and one against Vasiliy Lomachenko.
The Matias fight is also possible. He is the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion, who recently signed a deal with Matchroom Boxing. That puts him as a DAZN fighter, a platform Haney has fought on several times. His last fight against Prograis took place on DAZN, removing any obstacles for a clash of networks and putting Haney in a position for the biggest bouts.
But he must get through Ryan Garcia first. It is Haney’s biggest fight to date. He cannot afford to be distracted by the build-up, which has been dominated by concerns over Ryan Garcia’s mental health. Garcia has admitted to smoking weed and drinking, hardly the best preparation for this fight. His social media activity has also raised many talking points. While there were suggestions that Garcia could pull out, it is all systems go for a fight, meaning Haney must perform.
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