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.”

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.

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

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.”

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.

In less than 2 weeks. UK fans get this card love and exclusive on DAZN. Will be late one for us, but DAZN is cheap. Watch it live or watch it in the morning without any spoilers.

Devin Haney Interview

On his recent training camp: “It’s been a great eight-week camp. I started in Las Vegas, got some light sparring, then traveled to the Bay Area. I spent three weeks training with Victor Conte and Remi Korchemny at SNAC. The remaining weeks, I’ve been in Las Vegas, getting great sparring work with local pros that have been pushing me hard. I’m ready! The world will see, I’m the best fighter on the planet.”

On his matchup with Jorge Linares: “Linares is a great fighter that has a lot left in the tank. He has held multiple world championships in three weight classes and he’s by far the biggest step up in my career. I give my dad Bill Haney, who is my trainer, a lot of credit, we know exactly what it takes to get this done on May 29th. My skills are on another level and I will make the necessary adjustments, wear him down and completely dominate this fight.”

On what a win will do for his career: “This is the biggest fight of my career. A victory against Linares should gain me a lot of respect. Everyone knows that Linares is a dangerous fighter and winning this fight gives more reasons to all of the writers, fans, and boxing insiders, to campaign [for the undisputed world championship] fight with Teófimo López, or at the very least, a title defense against Ryan Garcia. I’m putting the pressure on them.”

On fighting at home in Las Vegas: “Las Vegas is where I currently reside. I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to fight in front of my family and friends. I’ve only fought in Vegas a couple of times, way back in 2016, before I became a world champion. I’m 100% ready to show up and show out. Las Vegas is the mecca of boxing’s biggest shows and for me this is just the beginning. Now that COVID restrictions are loosening, I’m encouraging all the fans from around the world to come out and enjoy a great night of boxing. It’s going to be fireworks.”

Month of May is boxing card heaven!

Fight week!

Haney hasnt exactly been setting the heather on fire lately and although he's still dominating guys he isnt putting them to sword, i do think he'll stop Linares though, he has that vulnerability that Haney can capitalise on, Haney will be quicker and sharper than him and if he takes away those weapons, i dont think Linares has anything else for him to worry about, Haney stoppage midway

Looks like a fight for Haney to make his name in. I expect him to win comfortably.

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑24 May 2021, 04:49 Looks like a fight for Haney to make his name in. I expect him to win comfortably.

Of course, Ben has taught him well.

Haney will be eager to impress here off the back of his lightweight rivals Garcia and Lopez producing good performances in their most recent outings - his detractors often say he can't entertain and put opponents away so I expect him to be pushing for the early finish v the veteran Linares.

Personally I think Haney can be very successful if he sticks to what he's good at, he has the speed, discipline and footwork to be a real problem in the coming years despite not carrying stunning power - still only 22 too. His issue could be that his style sees him avoided.

I like this fight. Outside of the top tier (Lopez, Loma, Gervonta Davis, Garcia) this is as good an opponent as he can get I think. I rate Haney as a fighter but he needs to bring the excitement and Linares is rarely in a bad fight.

Press Release ↑ Haney vs. Linares undercard: Khalil Coe makes his debut on May 29th

Khalil Coe wants to be the latest star to come out of New Jersey as he begins his pro journey on Saturday night (May 29) at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM AXS.COM

Coe enters the paid ranks on the back of a promising time with Team USA and 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 in Sin City on Saturday night with a view to moving down to 168lbs, and the rising star wants to become a new fight figure for his city and show that there is a lot more to him than just his win over La Cruz.

“Where I am from, Jersey City, you couldn’t go outside unless you could fight,” said Coe. “People would take stuff from you, so you have to be able to hold your own.

“I love my city, it is crazy but I wouldn’t want to be from anywhere else. It made me who I am, it’s made me strong, that’s how I am able to get in the ring and do what I do, it’s the struggle that drove me and I don’t want to go back to where I started. They are trying to get me to where I am going – I love my people for that and I want to make them proud.

“My Mom put me in boxing. I was fighting on the streets and in school, I was getting in trouble so my Mom did it to humble me really. I got into the gym, and I smelt the leather, the bags, everything, and I haven’t looked back since.

“I’ve been waiting on this day for. A long time, I just can’t wait to get out there are showcase my skills. We set up a meeting in New York with Eddie Hearn and I told him, I will put on a show for him.

“The Olympic committee is a hard process, I had to keep qualifying and solidify my spot, so personally I thought that they probably had someone already lined up that they wanted to go instead of me. I just felt that I was ready for the change, and it was my time.

“People started to take an interest in me after I knocked the Cuban out. Every time he posts something, someone tags me! We are connected for life now. But I am not just the Cuban killer, I want to show I don’t just have KO power – I will show that I can box, have good footwork, I’m slick; we’re at a different level now and we’re taking it up.”

Coe makes his debut on a stacked card in Las Vegas, topped by unbeaten WBC World Lightweight champion Devin Haney (25-0 15 KOs) defending his title against former World ruler Jorge Linares (47-5 29 KOs).

There’s another WBC World title belt up for grabs when Chantelle Cameron (13-0 7 KOs) will defend her Super-Lightweight title against Melissa Hernandez (23-7-3 7 KOs) in more World title action, a fascinating battle between two Golden Boy Promotions stablemates as Jason Quigley (18-1 14 KOs) and Shane Mosley Jr (17-3 10 KOs) go toe-to-toe for the WBO NABO Middleweight title and it’s a huge night for Martin J. Ward (24-1-2 11 KOs) as he faces Azinga Fuzile (14-1 8 KOs) in a final eliminator for the IBF World Super-Featherweight title.

Reshat Mati (9-0 7 KOs) enters double figures in the pro game on the night, 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.

Decent card this. Won’t be staying up to watch, will catch it Sunday morning.

Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑25 May 2021, 07:54 Decent card this. Won’t be staying up to watch, will catch it Sunday morning.

Same. I’ve done that with all of the DAZN US shows so far. Alarm set for 6.30 to watch for 3 hours in peace.

maverick23 wrote: ↑25 May 2021, 08:21

Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑25 May 2021, 07:54 Decent card this. Won’t be staying up to watch, will catch it Sunday morning.

Same. I’ve done that with all of the DAZN US shows so far. Alarm set for 6.30 to watch for 3 hours in peace.

Did you watch Andrade-Williams live?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 May 2021, 09:20

maverick23 wrote: ↑25 May 2021, 08:21

Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑25 May 2021, 07:54 Decent card this. Won’t be staying up to watch, will catch it Sunday morning.

Same. I’ve done that with all of the DAZN US shows so far. Alarm set for 6.30 to watch for 3 hours in peace.

Did you watch Andrade-Williams live?

Yep - that was primetime for the U.K.

I struggle to stay awake until 5am so only do it for the really big ones and even then unless there’s a U.K. show on beforehand or a stacked undercard I’ll go to bed early and set the alarm. Completely ruins my Sunday otherwise.

Linares: I Think Haney Will Run All Night, I'll Be Ready For That

“It’s a big fight and a new challenge for me,” said Linares. “I have a lot of respect for Devin. He’s a young guy, a World champion, but on Saturday the respect goes, and I am ready for an amazing fight, and I hope he’s ready too. He knows who he is fighting - a four-time World champion. I have a lot of experience and that’s the most important thing in this fight to win the fight. He doesn’t have that. He has talent, he has youth and hunger, and the belt.

“A fight with me is a different level. I can show so many styles, I’m naturally fast and strong, I don’t have a lot of KOs, but he knows I can punch. I think he will run all night, but I will be waiting for him, I will follow him. If he wants to fight inside, I am ready for him. He’s going to have big problems on Saturday night, he knows I can do everything, and he knows I have to timing to put him down.

“I know his style, I trained with him a long time ago in Vegas and we did some sparring. He was a baby then! But he’s a champion now and I hope he’s ready for a tough fight.

“I don’t need to say anything about what he’s said. I just think about myself and what I need to do, not what he says or does. I don’t like to talk too much, I don’t need to talk to get fans or followers or anything, I just need to go out and do my job and put on a great fight.”

haney should bashhim linares up long time

Nevada Commission Assigns Judges, Ref For Title Fight

Judges: Dave Moretti | Steve Weisfeld | Patricia Morse Jarman

Referee: Russell Mora

-----------------------------------

Two of the judges who worked the Josh Taylor-Jose Ramirez fight have also been assigned to score the Devin Haney-Jorge Linares lightweight title bout Saturday night.

Boxing Scene has learned that Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld are among the judges the Nevada State Athletic Commission has approved to work the 12-round bout between Haney (25-0, 15 KOs), the WBC world 135-pound champ, and Linares (47-5, 29 KOs). Nevada’s Moretti and New Jersey’s Weisfeld will be joined at ringside by another veteran judge from Nevada, Patricia Morse Jarman, for a main event DAZN will stream from Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena.

The NSAC also approved Nevada’s Russell Mora as the referee for the Haney-Linares fight.

Moretti and Weisfeld are among the most experienced, consistent judges in American boxing and often are assigned to work high-profile fights. They both scored Scotland’s Taylor a 114-112 winner over California’s Ramirez on Saturday night, as did judge Tim Cheatham.

Taylor’s two knockdowns of Ramirez, one apiece in the sixth and seventh rounds, accounted for the difference on all three scorecards in a main event ESPN televised from The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Had Taylor not dropped Ramirez at least once, their 12-round, 140-pound title unification fight would’ve resulted in a draw because all three judges scored six rounds for each boxer.

Jarman, Moretti and Weisfeld have not worked any of Haney’s first three lightweight world title fights.

Weisfeld had Linares behind, 86-84, when Vasiliy Lomachenko knocked out the Venezuelan veteran with a body shot during the 10th round of their WBA lightweight title fight in May 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Robin Taylor had Linares in front through nine rounds, 86-84, and Julie Lederman scored the action even, 85-85, entering the 10th round.

Moretti hasn’t worked a Linares fight since he scored the three-division champion a 99-90 victor over Rocky Juarez in July 2010. Judges Al Lefkowitz (97-92) and Richard Ocasio (99-90) also credited Linares for a convincing win against Juarez at Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Jarman, meanwhile, scored two fights on the Taylor-Ramirez undercard and has more than 35 years of experience.

She scored Jose Enrique Vivas a 75-74 winner versus Louie Coria in an eight-round junior lightweight fight. Coria recorded two knockdowns during the third round and referee Robert Hoyle deducted a point from Vivas for low blows in the fourth round, but judges Glenn Feldman and Chris Migliore scored the fight for Vivas by the same margin as Jarman, 75-74.

Later Saturday night, Jarman scored Jose Zepeda a 98-92 victor versus Hank Lundy in a 10-round junior welterweight fight. Feldman and Lisa Giampa also scored that fight 98-92 for Zepeda.

In the most recent title fight she scored, Jarman had Emanuel Navarrete ahead of Christopher Diaz, 107-98, entering the 12th round April 24 in Kissimmee, Florida. Judges Chris Flores and Alex Levin had Navarrete in front by the same score through 11 rounds.

Navarrete retained his WBO featherweight title by stopping Diaz in the final round.

Devin Haney: I Don't Feel Like I Need To Stop Linares; If The Stoppage Comes, It Comes
———

Basically, saying he ain’t gonna stop Linares.

If you say you don’t intend to stop someone, then he won’t need excuses later on.

When are the ring walks?

The ring walks are expected to begin at around 4am in the early hours of Sunday morning in the UK, while undercard action will be underway from 1am.