Devin Haney: A Free Agent

[Ruthless-RKO]

All the belts, all the options: Where does Devin Haney go from here after beating Vasiliy Lomachenko?

Devin Haney's hand was raised for the 30th time in 30 fights, but the usual cheers were replaced by boos from many of the 14,436 people on hand Saturday at the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena.

After all, Vasiliy Lomachenko delivered the more eye-catching combinations, particularly late in the fight, leaving an impression with the fans that he had wrested the undisputed lightweight championship from Haney. But it was Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) who deserved the nod on the strength of his precise body punching and the right hands that left Lomachenko's flank red.

"The people can say what they want to say; the judges had a unanimous decision," Haney said. "That's all that matters is the judges. Each judge was on the same page."

Indeed, Haney turned back the challenge of Lomachenko in the toughest fight of his career via scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 115-113. The 24-year-old boxer did so by staving off Lomachenko's late push to win the final round on all three scorecards, the difference between a win and a draw.

And when Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) was able to close the distance early in the fight, Haney was there to push him back with an excellent jab and a digging right hand to the body time and again.

"The body work won me the fight, so I knew I had to invest in that body," said Haney, ESPN's No. 10 pound-for-pound boxer. "We watched a lot of tape on Loma; he wasn't the biggest fan of body shots, so we stuck to the game plan, breaking him down.

"He would have some good moments during the round, but he wasn't finishing the whole round strong because we invested in the body."

Haney didn't show much interest in a rematch after the fight, saying he proved against a future Hall of Famer that he is the top guy at 135 pounds. Haney said he could fight at 140 pounds and see how he feels before he makes a decision on his four 135-pound titles, but he also could be done at lightweight for good.

"No weight cut for me at 135 is easy; it takes a lot of discipline," Haney said. "I'm huge for the weight. I've been at 135 since I was 16 years old."

Haney, who has never signed a long-term promotional contract, is once again a free agent, giving him the flexibility he craves. If he chooses to remain with Top Rank, he could eye the winner of the June 10 junior welterweight title bout between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez Jr. If not, a fight against Shakur Stevenson -- who confronted Haney in the ring and said Lomachenko deserved the nod over Haney -- could be of massive interest.

The biggest fight available to Haney is Gervonta Davis, who is aligned with PBC. Haney, with his former promoter, Eddie Hearn, also could seek fights at 140 with Regis Prograis and Jack Catterall, who are aligned with Matchroom.

Haney shouldn't have to prove himself at this point. But doubters remain after the way Lomachenko performed at 35 years old -- following a disappointing performance against long-odds underdog Jamaine Ortiz -- and especially with Lomachenko busting up Haney down the stretch with flashy flurries.

Even if Lomachenko didn't realize his dream of becoming undisputed champion, he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is still one of the best fighters in the world. Whom he fights next is unclear right now, but whether it's Stevenson, Davis or any other top lightweight, Lomachenko would clearly threaten to win any of those matchups.

Lomachenko nearly beat Lopez with a torn rotator cuff but said heading into the Haney fight that he was fully healthy. A Lomachenko at 100 percent is dangerous for anyone. Top Rank promotes both Stevenson and Lomachenko, making it a natural fit if neither lands Haney next.

Lomachenko, the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Ukraine, leaves Haney's hometown the sentimental favorite and with a new lease on his career. But it is Haney who leaves with the titles following a victory he undoubtedly deserved on his way to greater heights.

"One star has set, and one star has risen," said Haney's father and trainer, Bill Haney. "I'm happy to say that the king of boxing is Devin Haney. In the words of Teddy Atlas, who told Timothy Bradley one time, 'You have to be a fireman; you have to go through the fire,' and that's what Devin did."

[gregregegg]

The value of Haney is very very interesting.

If you think your young guy can beat him at 135 thats worth many millions. Tank, Shak, Garcia... if there promoters back them they should be making massive offeres for undisputed. Winning that adds millions of dollars to every one of there future fights belts or not, and they all have many fights left so its worth tons.

Then there is loma 2, big fight, but not the same longterm value as those young guns.

If haney goes to 140 is he worth anything? will people give him a shot? Teo, taylor, progras, all big fights but even if there is a belt on the line they are not anything near the 135 undisputed fights.

Haney needs belts because he is boring as a person and as a fighter (to the casuals), if he can keep making 135 he should unless he has a 140 title locked up with one of the above names ^



*note garcia at 140 makes all the sense in the world, but if those 2 are going to fight why would you not make it undisputed even if they are both going to be weight drained and shit.*

[Ruthless-RKO]

The value of Haney is very very interesting.

If you think your young guy can beat him at 135 thats worth many millions. Tank, Shak, Garcia... if there promoters back them they should be making massive offeres for undisputed. Winning that adds millions of dollars to every one of there future fights belts or not, and they all have many fights left so its worth tons.

Yeh, the beauty of it. Haney, undisputed champion and he's not tied down to any broadcast or promotions.

He just gotta wait for mandatories or offers.

No doubt, promoters like Matchroom, Top Rank, PBC would offer multi-fight deals.

Just like the last one he had with Top Rank.

[emallini]

He is not a free agent. He signed a new deal with Top Rank before the Loma fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He is not a free agent. He signed a new deal with Top Rank before the Loma fight.

Source?

[Dylanc]

lmao paulie said he signed with top rank a few days ago, but other than that.. cant really find anything. Who knows, we will see.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yh, he’s definitely a free agent.

There would have been an article if he had signed with anyone.. I wouldn’t have missed it.

[emallini]

Yh, he’s definitely a free agent.

There would have been an article if he had signed with anyone.. I wouldn’t have missed it.

Yeah you live on Twitter.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yh, he’s definitely a free agent.

There would have been an article if he had signed with anyone.. I wouldn’t have missed it.

Yeah you live on Twitter.

Nothing to do with twitter.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[KiwiRider]

Yh, he’s definitely a free agent.

There would have been an article if he had signed with anyone.. I wouldn’t have missed it.

I'm sorry these upstarts have even doubted you, your greatness.
We pale in your illuminance oh illustrious one

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eddie Hearn Gives Devin Haney Some Surprising Advice On Promotional Future

“If I was Devin, I’d consider free agency in a similar way to Canelo Alvarez. Obviously he doesn’t have the same value as Canelo Alvarez, but when you look at the fights that are available for him, you’ve got Regis Prograis with us, Shakur Stevenson with Top Rank, Gervonta Davis with PBC.”

“So I’d be careful if I was him about aligning himself too deeply with one promoter. If he’s chasing greatness, he needs to secure all those fights. And I think he’s in a great spot around that weight class to take that position.”