WBC light welterweight champion Devin Haney said after his fight against Ryan Garcia on April 20 that he wants to stay at 140 to become the undisputed champion.
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) is unlikely to be able to do that given the financial hurdles that always present him in negotiations with WBO 140-pound champion Teofimo Lopez and WBA champion Rolando “Laurie” Romero. Maybe.
Haney is unlikely to sign Teofimo, and the same will be true if Lowry is still WBA champion after March 30th.
Haney's undisputed vision
“It wasn't planned that way at first, but now it's happening. Yes, I hope it's non-controversial,” Devin Haney said. Xsaid he wants to stay at 140 to become the undisputed champion in the second weight class.
“They'll find every reason not to. But if I beat him, it was Ryan first. If Theo. [Lopez] Haney spoke about his desire to face WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez next if he defeats Ryan Garcia in his title defense on April 20th.
Again, it's questionable whether Haney can line up the matches needed to be an undisputed presence at 140. The 135-year-old was in an ideal situation to win three belts against fragile unified champion George Kambosos Jr., but that situation is no longer in place. itself is 140.
The problem of size that no one talks about
What can be overlooked is Haney's huge size for the 140-pound division. He's built as a junior middleweight and should move up to at least 147. Continuing to stay at 140 could be a problem for Haney, and he doesn't want to move up his weight in the weight class he's in.
Devin’s undisputed path at 140:
- Teofimo Lopez: WBO champion but negotiations are very difficult
- Subriel Mathias: IBF Champion
- Rolando “Rolly” Romero: WBA belt holder and considered a paper champion
If he has to move up to 147 or 154, where Haney belongs, he would need to be paired with dangerous punchers like Jaron “Boots” Ennis, Terrence Crawford, or Tim Tzu.
Haney's career could fall apart quickly, and he's just one of many poor candidates trying to piece their careers together. However, by staying at 140, Haney can use his size advantage to defeat smaller opponents.
