Eddie Hearn says George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney possible for May in Middle East

By Boxing News - 12/05/2021 - Comments

By Jack Tiernan: Devin Haney’s promoter Eddie Hearn says he’ll be looking to stage the undisputed lightweight clash between Devin and George Kambosos Jr. in April or May in the Middle East, the U.S, or Australia.

Hearn appears to be trying to rush a decision by Kambosos by acting quickly by talking up the Haney fight as if it’s a done deal.

The British promoter Hearn is using a high-pressure salesman technique by talking as if the buyer [Kambosos] has already decided to purchase his product [Haney], even if there are better options [Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, and Vasily Lomachenko] out in the marketplace.

We’ll see if Kambosos and his intelligent Harvard-educated promoter Lou DiBella can see what Hearn is doing with his clever salesman technique.

Is Kambosos better off fighting Haney?

Hearn states that it would be “WISER” for Kambosos vs. Haney fight to potentially be staged in the Middle East or the U.S, depending on which location can bring in the most money. If Kambosos ultimately decides to face Haney next, it does make sense to stage it wherever it can make the most money.

Hearn is making the right decision in testing the marketplace for where the Kambosos vs. Haney fight should be staged. The only question is whether Kambosos can make more money fighting Haney than he could in a fight with Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, or Vasily Lomachenko.

The Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn says Australia is an option, but he wants to test the marketplace to see which country will offer the most money for the Kambosos-Haney fight.

Unfortunately for Hearn, Kambosos still hasn’t decided who he wants to fight next. He says he wants to decide after viewing tonight’s clash between WBA lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, as well as the December 11th match between former three-division world champion Vasily Lomachenko and Richard Commey.

Hearn labels Haney – “American superstar”

“It was a brilliant performance from Devin Haney,” said Eddie Hearn to Boxing Social following Haney’s victory over Jojo Diaz. “In the last twelve months, he’s beaten Linares, Gamboa, and Jojo Diaz. He has the best current resume of any lightweight.

Image: Eddie Hearn says George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney possible for May in Middle East

“He controlled the fight in the first few rounds, and then Jojo Diaz started making it ugly, forcing the pressure, and then it was Devin’s maturity of controlling all those middle rounds of the fight. With respect to Jojo Diaz, but he [Haney] was just too good.

“He understands that you have to entertain, so I think he could make things easier, but he also doesn’t want to give you the excuse to say, ‘Oh, he’s boring’ because he really ain’t.

The kid’s an American superstar, and he’s getting better and better. We have to move forward, and hopefully, we can find out who the true undisputed champion is,” said Hearn.

It’s difficult to know if Hearn is serious by calling Haney an “American superstar” because he’s nothing of the sort. MANY fighters are more popular than Haney in the U.S and far more entertaining.

Last night’s victory for Haney over Joseph ‘Jojo’ Diaz Jr. was quite dull at times and loudly BOOED by the fans during and after the bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Hearn says U.S and Middle East possible for Haney – Kambosos

“They [Team Kambosos] can make us an offer, or we can make them an offer,” Hearn on a fight he hopes to make between Haney and undisputed lightweight Kambosos.

Image: Eddie Hearn says George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney possible for May in Middle East

“It would probably be wiser to work collectively and say ‘let’s go out in the marketplace and make these two the most money for one of the biggest fights in boxing.’ It’s not just Australia. It’s America or the Middle East, but part of me would like to do it in Australia.

“George Kambosos, after his win [over Teofimo Lopez], has the right to be the A-side in that fight. So if we have to travel, Devin will. I don’t feel that others will.

“We need to resolve this situation of being undisputed, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. I feel George and the team want the fight [with Haney], and they should.

“I wouldn’t say negotiations begin on Monday, but we certainly need to move forward now and see how we can make these two great fighters as much money as possible,” said Hearn of Kambosos and Haney.

Kambosos vs. Haney is possible for April or May

“I think the end of April or May, something like that,” Hearn said on WHEN he wants the Kambosos vs. Haney fight to take place. “George had a really tough fight last week, and Devin didn’t have as tough a fight, but still a tough fight.

“Give him a bit of time to break, and George has had a tough run building up to this fight. Let him have Christmas and January, and then we’ll start planning for the fight.

“But we should start work now, and we’ll talk to [Kambosos’ promoter] Lou [DiBella] and those guys and see what the options are in terms of where that fight [Haney vs. Kambosos] can be held.

“I think the whole undisputed, it’s just too important not to resolve,” said Hearn in reacting to Kambosos saying he wants to see who the most impressive fighter is in the Haney vs. Jojo Diaz, Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz, and Vasily Lomachenko vs. Richard Commey fights before he makes his decision on who he’ll face next.

Hearn: Lomachenko not being considered by Kambosos

“I’m sure Tank will look great, and Cruz will bring what he can, and Lomachenko is Lomachenko. With all due respect to Lomachenko, I don’t think he’s in the discussion for that fight [with Kambosos].

“Of course, Tank is, and Ryan Garcia [are being considered by Kambosos for his next fight],” said Hearn. “We just got to make sure we do the best that we can for the fighters.

“I’d like to think that Kambosos’ team trusts us after what we did for that fight [against Teofimo Lopez] and making sure it goes over the line.

“We have a proven track record for staging major international events and paying the fighters very well. That’s what I want to do for both of these guys [Haney and Kambosos] to find out who is undisputed and create a historic event, and they deserve it,” said Hearn.