BoxRec

Devin Haney, Jorge Linares Agree To Terms For May Fight

WBC lightweight world titlist Devin Haney and former titleholder Jorge Linares have come to terms to fight for Haney’s belt, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez, Linares’ co-promoter, told Boxing Scene.

The fight is penciled in to headline a Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN card on May 15 at a site to be determined.

Matchroom Boxing, Haney’s promoter, made an offer on the fight earlier this week and after some brief back and forth they came to terms on Friday.

“We have an agreement in principle for the fight,” Gomez said to Boxing Scene. We’re waiting for the contract to come in but we have a verbal agreement.”

The 22-year-old Haney (25-0, 15 KOs), of Las Vegas, will be making the third defense of his 135-pound title. He claimed an interim belt via one-sided fourth-round destruction of Zaur Abdullaev in September 2019 but was eventually elevated by the WBC to the full titleholder later in 2019 when full titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko elected to face Teofimo Lopez Jr. rather than make a mandatory defense against Haney.

Linares will be by far the most notable opponent of Haney’s career. He has so far defended his title against Alfredo Santiago, whom he outclassed in a shutout decision n November 2019 despite early in the fight injuring his shoulder, and former unified featherweight world titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa by near-shutout decision in his return from the shoulder injury this past November.

“I think it’s a great fight. Linares is still one of the top lightweights in the world,” Gomez said. “This is Haney’s biggest test.”

Linares (47-5, 29 KOs), 35, a Venezuela native based in Japan, has won world titles in three weight divisions: featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight.

When he moved up to junior welterweight in January 2019, he suffered an upset first-round knockout loss to Pablo Cesar Cano and decided to return to lightweight, where he has won two fights in a row. Most recently, he knocked out Carlos Morales in the fourth round in February 2020.

That fight was on the undercard of Golden Boy stablemate Ryan Garcia’s first-round knockout of Francisco Fonseca and was supposed to lead to a match between Linares and Garcia.

However, those plans fell through and Linares instead was slated to fight former junior lightweight titlist Javier Fortuna on Aug. 28 at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. But that show was eventually canceled when Linares tested positive for Covid-19 and was hospitalized two weeks ago in Tokyo, where he was training.

Gomez said Linares has had no lingering issues following his bout with Covid-19.

“He’s all over everything and he’s ready to go,” Gomez said of Linares, who has beaten opponents such as Luke Campbell and Anthony Crolla (twice).

The fight with Haney will be Linares’ first appearance in a world title fight since May 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York. That is where he knocked down Lomachenko in the sixth round but ultimately got knocked out in the 10th round and lost his WBA lightweight title.

“Linares has to win this one,” Gomez said. “This is probably the last chance he will have at a fighting for world title and he has to go into the fight thinking like that.”

Linares is Haney’s best on paper and will be his best win.

But we all know Linares is not the same fighter he was 4-5 years ago.

This matchup sucks. The email champ will comfortably outpoint worn out Linares in a snoozefest.

If Linares has even 70% of his prime, he will school Haney.
At 35 Jorge is still hanging in there with a mixture of ring craft and a wealth of experience.
Definitely Haney's biggest test thus far.
Luckily there is plenty to study on Linares and he hasn't changed much, so I will be interested to see how Haney deals with a guy who can be in your face, and elusive at the same time. Also, Linares can produce power at any stage of a fight, so that is something to watch out for.
With the pandemic and everything, it's not that bad of a fight really. I'll watch it.

Thought Linares was older than 35......seems to have been around forever.
This is a classic case of a passing the torch kind of match up. The old timer, well on the wane in with the young prospect.
It's probably perfect timing and good match making for Haney to get a legit name on his record.

Devin HAS to win this in dominant fashion.

And THIS is why Devin Haney isn't a real Champion.

He didn't beat the guy who never lost the title for his title, and he's instead fighting somebody THAT guy fought years before this.

Eddie Hearn on Devin Haney vs Jorge Linares: “Brilliant fight! Hopefully we can bring this to you in May.”

Devin Haney-Jorge Linares Set For May 29 At Mandalay Bay In Las Vegas

Devin Haney lives and trains in Las Vegas, but he hasn’t fought in his adopted hometown in almost five years.

That’s about to change. BS.com has learned that the 22-year-old Haney’s WBC world lightweight title defense against Jorge Linares has been scheduled for May 29 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The unbeaten Haney’s bout with Linares will mark the emerging 135-pound champion’s first fight in Las Vegas since May 2016, when he was just 17. DAZN will stream Haney-Linares worldwide as a main event on the Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend in the United States.

In accordance with the state of Nevada’s COVID-19 restrictions, Mandalay Bay's Michelob ULTRA Arena—formerly known as Mandalay Bay Events Center—will be limited to 50 percent of its full capacity of approximately 12,000 for the Haney-Linares card.

Haney-Linares will be the second boxing event in Las Vegas for which capacity limits will be increased to 50 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jose Ramirez-Josh Taylor, a 140-pound title unification fight for Ramirez’s WBC and WBO and Taylor’s IBF and WBA belts, will be held May 22 either at Mandalay Bay Events Center or MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The Haney-Linares fight initially was targeted for May 15, but it’ll take place nearly two weeks later.

The 35-year-old Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) has lost by technical knockout five times, including a first-round TKO loss to Mexico’s Pablo Cesar Cano (33-7-1, 23 KOs, 1 NC) in a 140-pound bout two years ago at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York. Cano knocked Linares to the canvas three times before their scheduled 12-rounder was stopped 2:48 into it.

Venezuela’s Linares, a former WBA and WBC lightweight champion, is still considered a step up in competition for Haney (25-0, 15 KOs). Haney, an Oakland, California, native, has beaten Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev (12-1, 8 KOs), the Dominican Republic’s Alfredo Santiago (13-1, 5 KOs) and Cuba’s Yuriorkis Gamboa (30-4, 18 KOs) in his three lightweight title bouts.

Gamboa has won world titles in three weight classes, but he was 38 when Haney easily beat him by unanimous decision in their 12-rounder November 7 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

I really like that.

Strange choice though to go to Vegas the week after Taylor vs Ramirez.

ironbeard,HANEY,DECISION,CLOSE

ironbeard wrote: ↑29 Mar 2021, 19:50 ironbeard,HANEY,DECISION,CLOSE

Wrong thread I think mate,

gregregegg wrote: ↑29 Mar 2021, 19:59

ironbeard wrote: ↑29 Mar 2021, 19:50 ironbeard,HANEY,DECISION,CLOSE

Wrong thread I think mate,

Just my opinion.

Hearn: Linares Is Breakout Fight That'll Show Devin Haney Is Best Lightweight On Planet

Devin Haney’s promoter considers Jorge Linares just the type of opponent the young champion needs to beat impressively to prove himself as an elite lightweight.

In fact, Eddie Hearn thinks Haney will establish himself as boxing’s best lightweight if he handles Linares the way Hearn expects. Teofimo Lopez obviously would beg to differ, but Linares clearly is the best opponent Haney has been scheduled to face since he turned pro five years ago.

The Haney-Linares fight officially was announced Wednesday afternoon for May 29 in Las Vegas. Their 12-round, 135-pound fight for Haney’s WBC world lightweight title will be streamed by DAZN worldwide as a main event from Michelob ULTRA Arena, the venue formerly known as Mandalay Bay Events Center.

“This the breakout fight that will show the world that Devin Haney is the best lightweight on the planet,” Hearn said in Matchroom Boxing’s press release to announce the Haney-Linares bout. “Jorge Linares is a tremendous fighter, a three-weight king that has speed, power and plenty of experience.

“I’ve represented four fighters who’ve attempted to beat Jorge and failed, but this time I believe we have the future king of the division in Devin, and this is his moment. May 29, the bright lights of Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, this is the moment.”

The 35-year-old Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) has lost by technical knockout five times in his 18-year pro career. Oscar De La Hoya, the Venezuelan veteran’s co-promoter, cautioned, however, that Linares represents an imposing step up in class for the 22-year-old Haney (25-0, 15 KOs).

“We have worked with Jorge Linares for a long time,” De La Hoya said, “and anytime the so-called experts count him out, he comes back with a vengeance. Haney has never confronted anyone even close to Jorge’s skill level, and at 135 he is still a force to be reckoned with for anyone in the division.”

Las Vegas’ Haney has defeated Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev (12-1, 8 KOs), the Dominican Republic’s Alfredo Santiago (13-1, 5 KOs) and Cuba’s Yuriorkis Gamboa (30-4, 18 KOs) in his three lightweight championship matches.

Gamboa has won world titles in three divisions, but he was 38 when Haney convincingly defeated him by unanimous decision in their 12-rounder November 7 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Linares, a former champion in the featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight divisions, will end a 15-month layoff when he challenges Haney. He knocked out Mexican veteran Carlos Morales (19-5-4, 8 KOs) in the fourth round of his most recent fight, which took place in February 2020 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Linares: I'll Show Haney Made Big Mistake Accepting Challenge He's Not Ready To Overcome

Jorge Linares is motivated to disprove pessimists that think he isn’t the same elite lightweight who gave Vasiliy Lomachenko everything he could handle for nine-plus rounds in May 2018.

The three-division champion will get that opportunity May 29 in Las Vegas, where he’ll challenge Devin Haney for Haney’s WBC world lightweight title. DAZN will stream their 12-round, 135-pound title fight worldwide from Michelob ULTRA Arena, the venue once known as Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Venezuela’s Linares, though 35 and the victim of five technical-knockout losses, is widely viewed as Haney’s most imposing opponent to date.

“This is my moment to show the world that I still have a lot more to give at 135 pounds,” Linares said in a press release issued by Matchroom Boxing on Wednesday to officially announce the Haney-Linares fight. “Devin Haney is a talented and quick-handed young man. But when I was his age, I had already become a world champion by snatching the [WBC featherweight] title from a real world champion like Oscar Larios. And now you can imagine how much more experience I have now at an age where I feel stronger and better than ever.”

The 22-year-old Haney has called out more formidable fighters than Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) over the past year – unbeaten champions in their physical primes. Nevertheless, Linares is intent to show that Las Vegas’ Haney (25-0, 15 KOs) isn’t ready to beat someone as experienced and skilled offensively as him.

“Without a doubt it will be a tremendous fight,” Linares said, “but I will demonstrate that Haney made a big mistake by accepting a challenge that he is still not ready to overcome.”

Linares was ahead on one scorecard and even on another (86-84, 85-85, 84-86) when Lomachenko snuck a temporarily paralyzing, left-handed body shot beneath Linares’ guard in the 10th round of their lightweight title unification fight almost three years ago at Madison Square Garden in New York. Two fights after Lomachenko knocked him out, Mexico’s Pablo Cesar Cano (33-7-1, 23 KOs, 1 NC) dropped Linares three times and stopped him in the first round of Linares’ 140-pound debut in January 2019 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater.

Linares moved back down to lightweight after Cano annihilated him and is 2-0 since suffering his fifth professional defeat.

“I’m very excited to be making my third world title defense against a great fighter like Jorge Linares,” Haney said, “who will be the best fighter I will have ever faced in my career. He’s a three-division world champion who has fought at the championship level for the past 13 years. I grew up watching Linares, and the fact that this fight is happening in Las Vegas is incredible.

“Boxing fans around the world are eager to see me step up in competition, which is great, and I know Linares is coming to fight. I’m ready to give the fans a spectacular performance. The better competition brings the best out of me. Against Linares, I’m going to show the world why I’m the king of the lightweight division.”

Haney points jorge past his best , be interesting fight has a big heart jorge if he goes at haney early who knows but devin good boxer should handle that good learning fight for him

tickets info announced

WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney defends his title against Jorge Linares on Saturday May 29 live stream on DAZN from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The tickets info for the 12-round world championship showdown has been announced today.

Haney vs Linares tickets go on pre-sale on Thursday April 8 at at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET. General sale kicks off on Friday April 9 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET. Pricing starts from $50 (plus fees) via AXS.com (as per announcement sent out by Matchroom Boxing).

Press Release

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom are delighted to announce the signing of Team USA podium starlet Khalil Coe.

Coe will make his professional debut on the undercard of Devin Haney’s WBC World Lightweight title defense against Jorge Linares at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Saturday May 29, live worldwide on DAZN.

The 24 year old, who will be guided by comanagers Keith Connolly and David McWater, hit the headlines when he knocked out Cuba’s 2016 Olympic gold medal man Julio Cesar La Cruz in June 2018 on his first international assignment.

The Jersey City talent will debut at Light-Heavyweight with a view to moving down to 168lbs, and he’s thrilled to be joining the paid ranks and is ready to make a big impact.

“This is what I’ve been working for and to be able to have Matchroom behind me makes it even better,” said Coe. “I cannot wait to put on a show and give the boxing world what they’ve been waiting for.

“I want to thank Keith Connolly, David McWater and Eddie Hearn for making this possible, and I am excited to start my journey on May 29.”

“Khalil is a real talent, and I am delighted to add him to the team,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “A big puncher with an interesting story and a good team behind him, there’s nothing to stop Khalil from making a big impact in the sport, and it’s going to be great to see him develop with Matchroom and DAZN.”

MGM Resorts will implement its comprehensive Seven Point Safety Plan and its Entertainment & Sports “Convene with Confidence” program, which outline the company’s approach to protecting the health and safety of guests and employees. The multi-layered plans include everything from sanitation stations, masking and physical distancing to digital solutions that minimize touch points as well as enhanced cleaning protocol. Details can be found at MGM Resorts Entertainment Convene with Confidence.

TICKETS STARTING AT $50 (PLUS FEES) ARE ON SALE NOW VIA AXS.COM

Martin Joseph Ward vs Azinga Fuzile IBF eliminator joins Haney-Linares on May 29th

The pair are ranked 3rd and 4th, respectively, by the IBF

Rumble Africa Promotions, who represent super featherweight contender Azinga Fuzile, have revealed that their charge will face Martin Joseph Ward in an IBF title eliminator on Golden Boy’s May 29th Devin Haney-Jorge Linares card.



Ward (24-1-2, 11 KOs), who boasts well-aged wins over Maxi Hughes and Anthony Cacace, has won five straight since a 2018 stoppage loss to James Tennyson. The most notable saw him take a split decision over Devis Boschiero, while the most recent saw him run roughshod over Jesus Amparan in February of last year.

Fuzile (14-1, 8 KOs) fights for the first time since a controversial 2019 loss to Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. “Golden Boy” was thoroughly in control of the fight, only to suffer a comeback knockout loss in the 10th round that grew suspect when footage revealed Rakhimov’s corner apparently giving him smelling salts. Despite that and South African authorities subsequently finding a whole mess of drugs in Team Rakhimov’s hotel room, the IBF let the result stand and gave Fuzile an eliminator while Rakhimov went on to challenge JoJo Diaz.

He’d planned a stay-busy bout in December, but that ultimately fell through.

I’m real high on Fuzile and Ward has looked plenty sharp lately, so there’s a lot to like about this matchup. Should be fun.

Press Release | Chantelle Cameron vs. Melissa Hernandez

Chantelle Cameron will defend her WBC World Super-Lightweight title against Melissa Hernandez on the undercard of Devin Haney’s WBC World Lightweight title defense against Jorge Linares on Saturday May 29 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, live worldwide on DAZN – with more tickets to go on sale at 10am PT tomorrow (April 25).

TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE AT 10AM PT ON SUNDAY VIA AXS.COM

Cameron (13-0 7 KOs) makes the first defense of the title she won with a shut-out points win over Adriana dos Santos Araujo in Milton Keynes, UK in October, and the talented 29 year old fights in the States for the first time in the paid ranks against Hernandez (23-7-3 7 KOs).

The Puerto Rican veteran is fighting for a World title at a third weight class after been the WBC Featherweight ruler and having also challenged for the WBC Lightweight strap.

Boy Promotions stablemates as Jason Quigley and Shane Mosley Jr go toe-to-toe for the WBO NABO Middleweight title. Quigley (18-1 14 KOs) is back on the winning path with back-to-back wins after his setback against Tureano Johnson in July 2019, and a third win on the spin for the decorated Irish amateur would catapult him into the mix for more big fights and titles at 160lbs.

That’s exactly what Mosley Jr (17-3 10 KOs) is hunting too, and the son of the former three-weight king Shane Mosley is in fine form himself and has boxed more recently than Quigley, forcing the retirement of Cristian Olivas after five rounds in Indio, California in February. That was a fourth win on the bounce for the 30 year old, and he’ll be out for a statement win over Quigley to emerge into the mix at Middleweight.

It’s a huge night for Martin J. Ward as he faces Azinga Fuzile in a final eliminator for the IBF World Super-Featherweight title. Ward (24-1-2 11 KOs) is edging closer to his World title dreams and the #4 ranked Briton enters the biggest fight of his career to date on his American debut and a welcome return to action for the 29 year old whose last fight was a shutout win over Jesus Amparan in Sheffield, UK in February 2020.

Fuzile (14-1 8 KOs) also fights in America for the first time in his career, and the South African ranked one spot lower than Ward at #5 is taking a second bite at the cherry having faced Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in an eliminator in September 2019 in East London, South Africa, with Fuzile ahead on the cards before the Russian recorded an eight round stoppage. ‘Golden Boy’ has not boxed since that night but can get back on course for a world title shot in what promises to be an exciting clash.

At the other end of the spectrum, there’s a professional debut on the card for Eddie Hearn’s latest American signing, Khalil Coe. The 24 year old Jersey talent will kick life off in the paid ranks at Light-Heavyweight before eyeing a move down to 168lbs, and his journey will begin in Las Vegas.

Reshat Mati (9-0 7 KOs) enters double figures in the pro game on the card, with the New Yorker looking to extend his KO run to six fights, having added two KOs in quick succession in November and December, both in Hollywood, Fl.

Ramla Ali (2-0) has been impressive in her two fights since turning pro in October and the first pro female fighter from Somalia gets an introduction to American fight fans on the bill, a card that is rounded off by Devin Haney Promotions’ Darren Cunningham (13-0 7 KOs) continuing his pro rise.

“This is a stacked card in support of a brilliant main event – and our first promotion in Las Vegas,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s a brilliant opportunity for Chantelle Cameron to showcase her skills in the States and stake her claim for the unification fights she craves, against a tough competitor in Melissa Hernandez.

“Quigley vs. Mosley Jr has the feel of a must-win crossroads fight for the pair, while Ward vs. Fuzile has plenty at stake and is sure to catch fire.

“What a night for Khalil Coe to make his debut, this young man can become a star, and the pro journeys of Reshat Mati, Ramla Ali and Darren Cunningham continue on the bill. This is an unmissable night of boxing in Las Vegas.”

Hearn using US DAZN money to get Brit's on the US cards..

Sky shows have been thinned out ever since he went to US.

Most Brits fight in the US now..

Linares is the best opponent Haney ever faced as a pro. Haney could not stop an old , washed up version of Gamboa. It could be a tough fight for Haney if Linares is very motivated.

Could be good. Could be a blowout. Hopefully Linares comes in at top form and gives Haney a go. Decent card.