Even after becoming the undisputed lightweight champion in June, Devin Haney’s rivalry with George Kambosos Jr. was not over. Sunday at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Haney dominated Kambosos once again to retain the belts.
The judges scored the rematch, which was in Kambosos’ contract, 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110.
Now Haney can now move on to other challengers within the division. Who could be next for the 23-year-old champ?
“We’re taking on all comers. No matter who it is, we want to fight the best fighters in the world. I believe I’m the best fighter in the world. Whoever it is next, bring them on,” Haney said.
The lightweight division is one of the sharpest in boxing. Young talent and former champions are ready to fight for gold. The Sporting News looks into Haney’s likely options after his win over Kambosos.
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Devin Haney vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko
Lomachenko, the former WBA, WBO, WBC and The Ring champion, has fought back into title contention after losing his belts to Teofimo Lopez in 2020. He has won two in a row against contenders Masayoshi Nakatani and Richard Commey.
Not long ago, Lomachenko was in Ukraine defending his country against Russian aggression. Now back in the ring, he wants to hold gold again. He will return to action Oct. 29 against Jamaine Ortiz at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum indicated to Secondsout that the Haney family wants a Lomachenko fight if both fighters win their bouts. Haney did his part. When he was asked recently on The MMA Hour about his most-desired next bout, Haney agreed with Arum.
“Obviously the Lomachenko fight. That’s a huge fight. But all of them get me excited. (Gervonta) Davis, Lomachenko, those two are pretty much on the top of the list, because that makes the most sense. Other guys, I don’t really rate like that,” Haney said.
Devin Haney vs. Gervonta Davis
Davis, the WBA (Regular) champion, has options with mandatory challengers and Ryan Garcia. What about Haney?
The two have engaged in a war of words on social media for years, but nothing has materialized. Davis last fought in May, knocking out Rolando Romero in the sixth round. That was his 25th win via knockout. With a fight in December up in the air, Haney wouldn’t mind facing Davis eventually.
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Haney’s goal is to shut down Davis and what he believes “Tank” represents.
“The fight has been built up for years,” Haney told Thaboxingvoice, via Boxing Scene. “At the end of the day, if he wants the fight, he can have the fight. He’s the WBA fake champion. He has the Mickey Mouse belt. If he wanted to become my mandatory, he can become my mandatory. All he’s got to do is go hit Gilberto (Mendoza) and tell him ‘Hey, we want tot make this fight happen’ and he can become the mandatory whenever he wants.”
Devin Haney vs. Shakur Stevenson
The 25-year-old Stevenson is on his way to the division. He moved up from super featherweight after failing to make weight for his WBC, WBO and The Ring title fight against Robson Conceicao. After winning the bout, he made it known that he wants Haney.
In an interview with Fight Hype, Haney liked the idea of fighting Stevenson, who is now involved in his third weight class.
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“That is a huge fight to be made one day,” Haney said, via Bad Left Hook. “At the end of the day, we all know that this is a business. We’re real good friends, we talk often, and when the time comes is when the time comes. But it’s going to make sense for me and for him and we’re going to make a huge fight for the fans when it happens.”
Devin Haney vs. The World
Haney is ready to take on all challengers. Other fighters he could face include Garcia, Joseph Diaz, Maxi Hughes and Isaac Cruz.
Garcia is an intriguing option, but his eyes have been set on Davis. Hughes is coming off of a win against Kid Galahad and he does hold the IBO title. Cruz just beat Eduardo Ramirez to become WBC (Silver) champion.
Of all those fighters, who can step up and take on Haney?