Devin Haney wants a low-level puncher for him to return again in opposition to in one of many two Riyadh exhibits earlier than the tip of the 12 months.
Haney have to be rebuilt shortly to arrange a big-money rematch in opposition to Ryan Garcia for a summer time mega-fight in 2025. Ideally, if Haney can choose two or three wins earlier than subsequent summer time, a rematch between him and Ryan will make large cash.
Focusing on a Paper Title
Dethroning the weakest hyperlink at welterweight, WBC champion Mario Barrios, can be good for Haney. That might make Haney a champion of types. Granted, he can be seen as a paper champion, however he would nonetheless maintain a belt, making a rematch between him and Ryan greater.
The issues that Haney confirmed taking the exhausting pictures from Ryan Garcia final April make it essential that he face a non-puncher when he returns to the ring. He can’t afford one other exhibiting like that if he needs to return to the highest.
It’s believed that Haney, 25, shall be transferring as much as 147 as a result of it’s grow to be too tough for him to make 140. In transferring as much as welterweight, he should transfer into the division slowly, given what occurred to him in opposition to Ryan.
Haney misplaced the battle to Ryan Garcia. Nonetheless, the New York State Athletic Fee overturned the outcomes, making it a no-contest and cleaning Devin’s report resulting from Ryan’s constructive PED take a look at.
Choosing the Proper Opponents
Mild-hitting Choices for Haney’s Subsequent Combat:
- Michael McKinson
- Mario Barrios
- David Papot
- Gabriel Maestre
- Paddy Donovan
These aren’t family names for the U.S. boxing public, however given Haney’s issues in his final battle taking Ryan’s energy pictures, he shouldn’t battle anybody notable at 147 as a result of they hit too exhausting. They might possible end what Ryan began final April, and no fee would overturn the loss this time.
“Mckinson earlier than the tip of the 12 months. Barrios or Stanionis within the first quarter of the 12 months, after which in the summertime of 2025, an enormous showdown. Perhaps it’s in Los Angeles, or perhaps it’s in New York in opposition to Ryan Garcia,” mentioned Chris Mannix on his YouTube website a few path for Devin Haney to return to the highest.
The British welterweight Mckinson (26-1, 4 KOs) was knocked out in 9 rounds by Vergil Ortiz Jr. in 2022. Since that battle, McKinson, 30, has received his final 4 contests in opposition to obscure opposition to return again from the defeat.
“Definitely, if Devin can go 3-0 on these fights, it would get him all the way in which again. He’ll get every little thing again that he quasi-lost in that Garcia battle,” mentioned Mannix.
It’s asking a variety of Haney to defeat McKinson, Mario Barrios, and Eimantas Stanionis. I believe he’ll be alright in opposition to McKinson, however Barrios and Stanionis shall be robust fights for Haney as a result of these guys can punch a bit of.
“You will have some high-profile occasions in Riyadh for Devin Haney to return again on. The query is, in opposition to whom? I believe it’s fairly clear that Devin Haney is completed at 140. He’s vacated his title. He’s vacated his [WBC] title. He’s not going to compete there. 147 is the following step up, however I’m not precisely certain who you match him up with in his first battle again,” mentioned Mannix.
“Definitely, you wish to search for a lesser puncher. Devin simply took a reasonably good beating in that battle in opposition to Ryan Garcia. You need him to bounce again in opposition to a low-level puncher. Is there a logical opponent for him to return again in opposition to?” mentioned Mannix.
