Promoter Eddie Hearn says Devin Haney will next defend his WBC 140-pound title against mandatory challenger Sandor Martin.
Required = miserable
Hearn acknowledged that Martin (42-3, 15 KOs) could be a problem for Haney, who seems more interested in the paycheck than a “tricky” opponent. Haney is cornered. He has overdue obligations, and although there is no financial possibility, the risk of humiliation is sufficient.
Will Haney do the right thing by defending his WBC title against Sander, or will he and his father Bill campaign for a payday in a rematch with Ryan Garcia? We already know the answer.
Haney posted on social media today that she wants to “get back together” with Ryan. He does not even think about obligatory promises. Haney wants Ryan's money, and you can't blame him. He made no mention of duty.
Ryan Garcia: Haney's accidental savior
“He's still a world champion. One of the blessings is that Ryan was able to drop weight,” promoter Eddie Hearn said on FightHub TV, adding that despite the loss to Garcia, he was ranked light welterweight by the WBC. He mentioned Haney, who was not stripped of the title.
Haney should send Ryan a thank you note and a fruit basket. Because the only reason he's still a champion is because he lost weight. That's the only reason Devin is still clinging to his title.
Someone needs to tell Hearn that Haney is already dreaming of a Ryan Garcia rematch and has floated the idea of an “agreed” weight.
Haney hasn't said he wants to fight Sandor Martin, which makes sense. There's no material in the fight with Martin, and that seems to be the main thing Devin and his father Bill Haney are focusing on.
“So he will have to defend that title against Sander Martin,” Hearn said. “I actually think it's a good fight right now. I think if he had taken it easy on Ryan Garcia, people would probably say he shouldn't fight Sandor Martin. But now it's a tough fight. It has become.
“He beat Mikey Garcia and definitely beat Teofimo as well. Devin will want to defend the title,” Hearn said.
The question is, will Haney prove to the world that he is the rightful champion by facing the mandatory Sandor Martin, or will he pursue that sweet prize even further with a rematch with Ryan?