By Adam Baskin: In a sign of desperation to rebuild Devin Haney’s image, his dad, Bill Haney, leaked a small video clip with Shakur Stevenson saying, “I’m tired” after having sparred Dev.
The secret video that Bill leaked doesn’t prove anything because it’s already believed that Shakur pieced Devin up during the sparring session they had.
Fans see this as a movement by Bill to artificially rebuild Devin’s public image after what they saw from his admission that 140 was too hot. The WBC belt has become a hot potato for Haney now that Shakur is his mandatory.
Earlier this week, in a secretly recorded video, Bill Haney seemingly admitted that he would take Devin to 140 if it gets “too hot” for him. Boxing fans saw this as a confession from Bill that he was going to have Haney make a run for it to escape the heat from Shakur, who was on his a** coming to take his four lightweight belts as his WBC mandatory.
“If it’s too hot at 30, we’ll go to 40,” said Bill Haney in a secret recording of him on Twitter.
This little snippet of Shakur saying, “I’m tired,” isn’t nearly enough to make fans ignore the secret video of Bill saying they could go to 140 to escape the heat.
Prograis questions Haney’s confidence
“I signed my part; I can’t do nothing else. If they sign their part, whatever. If not, I’ll see you all later because I think we have to see each other no matter what,” said Regis Prograis to Fighthype about Devin Haney negotiations. “If you’re not feeling confident, whatever.”
It’s believed that Haney wants more money than Prograis is willing to give, and he also is insisting on the date of the fight being changed from what was initially discussed. Prograis (29-1, 24 KOs) sounds fed up with Haney and says he can return to the 135-lb division and fight someone else if he’s unhappy.
Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) needs Prograis’ WBC 140-lb belt as a bargaining chip to strengthen his negotiation position for a unification fight against WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Without the WBC strap, Haney would be going into talks with Teofimo as the challenger, which would make it impossible for him to get the 50-50 deal that he likely wants.
If Haney can’t make a deal with Prograis, he’ll need to face IBF 140-lb champion Subriel Matias to try and win a title. He won’t get a fight with the Mayweather-promoted WBA champ Rolly Romero because he’s waiting on Ryan Garcia.