By Jim Calfa: DAZN is very happy with the George Kambosos Jr. vs. Devin Haney fight, says Eddie Hearn.
The Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn says he’s not sure who has been telling IBF/WBA/WBC Franchise/WBO lightweight champion Kambosos Jr. about DAZN not willing to back Haney with money for a unification fight between them.
Hearn says they have a deal in place with DAZN to make the fight with Kambosos, and Haney is ready to get on the plane to fly over to Australia. There’s talk of Haney not being a big draw on DAZN and them preferring to go with the famous 23-year-old Ryan Garcia, a proven entity.
It’s believed that Kambosos (20-0, 13 KOs) could face Ryan Garcia after his April 9th tune-up fight against Emmanuel Tagoe in San Antonio, Texas.
Kambosos, 28, and his promoter Lou DiBella have been dragging this situation out in picking an opponent for his next fight. Many fans feel that Kambosos lacks self-confidence and is looking to cash out in a battle with the highest bidder.
Hearn says DAZN happy with Kambosos-Haney
“I love George Kambosos. I don’t want to pick holes in what he’s saying, but someone is not telling Kambosos the truth,” said Hearn to iFL TV in reacting to Kambosos’ comments on social media about DAZN not liking Devin Haney for him.
“DAZN is very, very happy with Kambosos against Haney,” continued Hearn. “They’re also very happy for Kambosos against Ryan Garcia. He’s a big draw. We’ve already spoken to DAZN.
“There’s a deal in place to try and make this [Kambosos vs. Haney]. We have a deal suggestion in writing to Lou DiBella and George Kambosos’ team. We have not received anything in writing.
“Devin Haney is ready to go, and I hope George sees this. I love George, I love Jim, and I love the team. Devin Haney is ready to get on the plane and make the undisputed fight,” Hearn said.
“There are no money issues; there are no vaccine issues, there is nothing. He [Haney] will take the fight. Don’t worry about people that might take the fight in August or September or might not even be fighting by then,” Hearn said.
Perhaps DAZN is happy with Haney, as Hearn says, but they might also be looking to go in the direction of a bigger fight involving Ryan Garcia.
Undisputed overrules Lomachenko fight
“Make the undisputed fight,” said an agitated-looking Hearn. “I always say this. Someone is telling him [Kambosos] things that aren’t right.
“It baffles us because Bill Haney messaged me and goes, ‘What’s he on about?‘ We’re speaking to DAZN. The money is there; it’s not an issue, so let’s make the fight.
“I don’t know. It’s just weird. It’s like, I understand Ryan Garcia is a big draw, and maybe DAZN prefers that fight. But trust me, DAZN has already made the offer for the Haney fight and a structure to make that fight work, and Devin is ready to get on the plane.
“So you want to be undisputed, take the fight,” said Hearn in sending a message to Kambosos for him to face Haney. “Don’t worry about Devin ducking. Devin would never duck anyone; he’d fight them all.
“So hopefully, George sees this. Let’s get it made. He deserves his big moment. George is the guy at 135 right now. That’s why Devin is prepared to take the risk, take the opportunity and fly to Australia for the fight.
“Well, he could fight Lomachenko, but the undisputed fight will overrule that fight. So really, I think his options are to fight Lomachenko or fight Devin Haney for the undisputed. We’ll see what he does,” said Hearn.
The undisputed only matters if Kambosos values that fight over a potentially more significant match involving Ryan Garcia or Vasily Lomachenko.
Ultra-hardcore boxing cares about the undisputed 135-lb championship more than the casual fans, who are in the dark about that. The average fan wants to see the best possible fight involving Kambosos, who isn’t a household name in the U.S.
What makes Ryan Garcia an excellent option for Kambosos and DAZN is his vast 8.7 million followers on Instagram.
Haney can’t compete with those types of numbers that Ryan can bring in for a fight against Kambosos.
