BoxRec

Devin Haney is ready for a homecoming—with or without the benefit of being part of a Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez fight week.



Plans remain on course for the unbeaten lightweight contender to return to the ring on September 13 in his adopted Las Vegas hometown for his next fight. Barring a drastic change in plans, it will come versus Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev in a lightweight title eliminator.

“Devin will be fighting at home next up,” promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed with BS.com. “He’ll be facing the kid from Russia (Abdullaev) the night before Canelo’s fight in Las Vegas.”

The September 14 date is reportedly set in stone for Alvarez (52-1-2, 35KOs) according to Golden Boy Promotions, although an opponent has yet to be established along with the additional tease of the event taking place in Texas rather than Las Vegas.

Regardless of his plans, the blueprint for Haney’s future includes fighting at home while building towards his first career title fight.

“We’ve begun to do it with (super featherweight titlist) Tevin Farmer in Philadelphia, and now with (unbeaten middleweight titlist Demetrius Andrade in Providence,” Hearn notes of the importance of developing a local fan base. “Devin is an extraordinary fighter and a remarkable young man, just 20 years old. He’s the complete package and will be a huge hit in Las Vegas, and even in the (California Bay Area) where he’s originally from.”

Haney (22-0, 14KOs) has fought just twice before in Las Vegas, representing his first fights in the United States after having spent his first four pro bouts in Mexico. The undefeated rising contender was promoting his own career in recent years before joining forces with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing USA earlier this year.

“Devin is a very big lightweight and as young as he is, we don’t believe he’ll be at the weight much longer,” suggests Hearn. “He wants to win his first world title at lightweight, so the hope is to get him there in his next 2-3 fights before eventually moving up in weight.”

“Either way, Devin’s next fight will take place in Las Vegas, there’s no question,” insists Hearn. “I’m not part of Canelo’s team but every indication we’ve gotten is that he will be fighting September 14 in Las Vegas. If not, we’re still moving forward with plans to have Devin fight at home. He is the next big star in boxing.”

Really looking forward to this matchup!! Abdullaev is no walkover and I it will take a very hard-fought decision for Haney to win this one. Maybe 7 rounds to 5 or 8-4. It will be the first fight outside Russia for the 11-0 Abdullaev.

zaurz not bad but haney shouldnt have much trouble

Light work. There are levels.

diddy wrote: ↑05 Jul 2019, 09:56 Light work. There are levels.

I hope you're right and that Haney is at a totally different level, but I'm hesitant to underestimate Abdullaev.

Devin Haney was prepared to enter his next fight as part of a major fight week in his Las Vegas hometown.

He now gets to be the star of the show.
The unbeaten rising lightweight has been locked in for a mid-September showdown versus fellow undefeated contender Zaur Abdullaev. Their title eliminator was due to take place on the eve of a September 14 card in Las Vegas featuring World middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, whose change in plans allows this fight to now occupy the prime date.

“September 14, it’s looking like for Devin,” promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed over the weekend for the upcoming bout, which will stream live on DAZN. “We wanted to bring (Haney) to Vegas for a while. He’s going to be a multi-weight world champion.”

The first step will be getting him to a title, which is the purpose of his next bout.

Haney (22-0, 14KOs) made a major statement in his DAZN debut, scoring a highlight reel 7th round knockout of Antonio Moran this past May in Oxon Hill, Md. In a way, the show mirrored to his upcoming showcase slot as he was advanced to the main event once World cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk was forced to withdraw after suffering a torn biceps injury ahead of his planned heavyweight debut versus Carlos Takam.

For the second straight time, he gets to command the spotlight in the wake of compromised plans. The original blueprint called for a tentatively scheduled September 13 date for his showdown with Russia’s Abdullaev (11-0, 7KOs), as Hearn and DAZN wanted to capitalize on the sea of publicity that comes with Alvarez fighting in Vegas on a weekend dedicated to honoring Mexican Independence Day.

Those plans have significantly shifted, as Alvarez (52-1-2, 35KOs) failed to secure an opponent in time to preserve the date and properly promote such an event. As he is now looking towards a ring return in late October, it opens the door for Haney and his handlers to market him as the star attraction they firmly believe he can become.

“He’s a shy guy, but he’s an absolute superstar,” insists Hearn, a line he’s repeated ever since signing the 20-year old prodigious talent earlier this year. “The traction he’s got since his win over Antonio Moran. He wants (unified lightweight titlist Vasiliy) Lomachenko now. I’m trying to slow him down.”

Regardless of how the former fight turns out, the September 14 winner will become the mandatory challenger waiting in the wings. Given his age and size, there’s no time like the present for the rising star to pursue such an opportunity.

“The time is right now,” Haney insisted during a recent DAZN interview over the weekend. “135 is not ready for me to make at all. It takes a lot of sacrifice. After winning a world title, I want to move up to 140.”

Haney's record is overrated, 10 of his wins were in Mexico against cab drivers, Abdullaev looks to be Haney's first legitimate test, and I think Devin will have to work extra hard to get a distance win. I'm surprised that Russian based promoter German Titov is offering this fight to his prospect Abdullaev, he must be confident in his chances.

chuck9788 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2019, 15:40 Haney's record is overrated, 10 of his wins were in Mexico against cab drivers, Abdullaev looks to be Haney's first legitimate test, and I think Devin will have to work extra hard to get a distance win. I'm surprised that Russian based promoter German Titov is offering this fight to his prospect Abdullaev, he must be confident in his chances.

Was it Haney who fought that Maynard?

Are you thinking Mason Menard? If so, then yes, Haney won via 9'th round stoppage. Menard is another guy with a padded record (35 wins). Teofimo Lopez annihilated Menard in just 44 seconds!

Devin hasn't fought ANYONE worth mentioning and especially NOBODY in the top 10. Same thing Lomachenko said about Teofimo a while back...beat someone in the top 10, THEN think about a title shot.

I mean Devin is still in full prospect mode in my mind. They're trying to push Teofimo as a Contender real early, which may or may not come back to bite 'em on the ass.

Zaurs his best opponent but he'll win easy

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑29 Jul 2019, 16:22 Zaurs his best opponent but he'll win easy

I agree the Russian is Haney's toughest foe yet but I wouldnt predict an EASY win. I see a competitive but clearcut decision win for Devin.

Best Coast wrote: ↑29 Jul 2019, 23:36

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑29 Jul 2019, 16:22 Zaurs his best opponent but he'll win easy

I agree the Russian is Haney's toughest foe yet but I wouldnt predict an EASY win. I see a competitive but clearcut decision win for Devin.

Let’s wait and see.

Big test for both IMO

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 13:15

Best Coast wrote: ↑29 Jul 2019, 23:36
I agree the Russian is Haney's toughest foe yet but I wouldnt predict an EASY win. I see a competitive but clearcut decision win for Devin.

Let’s wait and see.

So you're not willing to make a prediction yet?

BTW the fight date was changed from the 14th to the 13th...

E

Z

Werk

Best Coast wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 23:09

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 13:15

Let’s wait and see.

So you're not willing to make a prediction yet?

BTW the fight date was changed from the 14th to the 13th...

Cheers. I’m leaning towards Haney, but who knows Zaur might have a few tricks up his sleeve.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 06:15

Best Coast wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 23:09
So you're not willing to make a prediction yet?

BTW the fight date was changed from the 14th to the 13th...

Cheers. I’m leaning towards Haney, but who knows Zaur might have a few tricks up his sleeve.

I consider Abdullaev a live underdog. But one thing that surprises me is that both people who picked Abdullaev in this poll predicted him to win inside the distance. Zaur is not really that much of a heavy-hitter and I have yet to see any signs of a weak chin on Haney's part.

Best Coast wrote: ↑09 Aug 2019, 18:37 I consider Abdullaev a live underdog. But one thing that surprises me is that both people who picked Abdullaev in this poll predicted him to win inside the distance. Zaur is not really that much of a heavy-hitter and I have yet to see any signs of a weak chin on Haney's part.

I think it's just the case, who knows what will happen.

You say it's Haney's biggest fight to date, but it's also Abdullaev's.. I guess we'll have more answers after this date.

The WBC Board of Governors has voted unanimously to officially sanction the fight between Devin Haney and Zaur Abdullaev for the WBC interim lightweight championship.

Stupid decision having it for the Interim belt. Why not just Keep it as a mandatory fight?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Sep 2019, 16:16 Stupid decision having it for the Interim belt. Why not just Keep it as a mandatory fight?

Does the WBC get sanctioning fees for Interim title fights? If so, that's probably the answer.

Best Coast wrote: ↑04 Sep 2019, 20:05

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Sep 2019, 16:16 Stupid decision having it for the Interim belt. Why not just Keep it as a mandatory fight?

Does the WBC get sanctioning fees for Interim title fights? If so, that's probably the answer.

Any title. I believe they pay for a fee for mandatory fights too.

Fight week