By Sean Jones: Devin Haney posted a clip of him on social media bullying his overmatched sparring partner. It didn’t look like an impressive effort from the WBC lightweight champion Haney (24-0, 15 KOs), who at one time hit his sparring partner with a cheap shot after he got back up from a knockdown.
Instead of waiting for the guy to collect himself after getting back to his feet, Haney nailed him right away.
Hopefully, Haney isn’t transforming himself into the type of fighter that roughs up his opponents because he won’t win over a lot of boxing fans that way.
Jorge Linares wants Haney
Former three-division world champion Jorge Linares is interested in fighting Haney, and he has him on his shortlist of potential opponents for September. Linares’ first choice is Ryan Garcia, and that’s the guy that he wants most of all. But if Linares can’t get him, then he wants Haney or Campbell.
Linares would be a dangerous fight for Haney right now because he’s not fought anyone talented yet. Haney’s best wins have come against Alfredo Santiago, Zaur Abdullaev, and Antonio Moran. Linares would be a big jump up from those guys for Haney.
Haney said, “Playing no games. #TheDream.”
The lack of power was evident from Haney in watching that clip, as he can’t punch in the way he needs to. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has taken Haney under his wing in helping him out with training, a move which has led to a lot of criticism for both guys. Some feel that Haney is trying to be a little Mayweather, and they don’t see him as having that kind of talent.
Mayweather looks bad in the eyes of boxing fans because Haney isn’t signed with his promotional company, and he fights in the same weight class as Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. He’s signed to Mayweather Promotions and holds the WBA lightweight title.
Haney needs more speed and power
Devin will need to fight a lot better than what we saw in his sparring session when he gets in there with the talented 135-pound fighters like Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, Vasily Lomachenko, and Teofimo Lopez.
Those guys all bring different tools to the ring that Haney doesn’t possess in terms of speed and power.
Haney hasn’t fought since beating Alfredo Santiago by a harder than expected 12 round decision last November, and he injured in that fight. Following that match, Haney was on the shelf with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
He still hasn’t fought since, but he was given back WBC title after the functioning body made him Emeritus champion.