WBC light welterweight champion Devin Haney reacted predictably to IBF champ Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz’ call out of him for a unification fight.
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs), the 140-pound WBC belt holder, said he welcomed the fight but then made it clear that the popular young talent, Pitbull Cruz, would have no chance against him, saying that he, predicting that he would make him look “mediocre.”
“Mediocre” – Has Haney Even WATCHED Pitbull Fight?
Pitbull Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) is anything but “mediocre,” Haney could be asking for trouble if he assumes this will be an easy task like his last fight against Regis Prograis.
Cruz is still young at 25, unlike the 35-year-old Prograis, and he will be on the attack the entire time against the light-hitting Haney, who is more of a classic runner in the Shakur Stevenson mold.
“I like it when guys call me out because it makes for good fights to happen if he’s really serious,” said Haney, reacting to Isaac Cruz showing interest in fighting him.
“That’s a fight I’ll explore once I’m victorious vs. Ryan Garcia on April 20th. It wouldn’t be no different. I would make him look mediocre like I do to these guys. It’s not easy. I just make it look that way.”
Haney still has to win his fight against the dangerous left-hook artist Ryan Garcia on April 20th, and that guy is intent on getting his pound of flesh in their headliner on DAZN PPV at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Ryan ain’t going to be no easy out.
Why Haney Should Be Sweating
- Pitbull’s pressure: Pitbull Cruz applies pressure similar to Gervonta Davis’s fight style, and we all saw what Tank did to Haney during their sparring session. It was a massacre. Cruz will force Haney to fight tooth & nail, which he hasn’t done since his clash against Jorge Linares.
- Mr. Saftey-First: Pitbull Cruz is a seek-and-destroy slugger who never lets up and is dangerous with his aggressiveness. In contrast, Haney is a finesse fighter who looks to outbox his opponents to win decisions without getting hurt.
- Devin’s self-regard needs checking: Devin’s ego has run amok lately and must be returned to earth. He’s forgotten about the gift the judges gave him in the Vasily Lomachenko fight. Cruz could give Haney a reality check.