Promoter Eddie Hearn says Devin Haney will defend his WBC 140-lb title next against his mandatory challenger Sandor Martin.
Mandatory = Misery
Hearn admits Martin (42-3, 15 KOs) could be a problem for Haney, who seems more interested in a paycheck than a “tricky” opponent. Haney is cornered. He’s got an overdue mandatory with no money potential but plenty of risk for humiliation.
Will Haney do the right thing by defending against Sandor to keep his WBC title, or will he and his dad, Bill, start campaigning for a rematch payday against Ryan Garcia? We already know the answer to that.
Haney posted today on social media, saying, “I would love to run it back” with Ryan. He ain’t even thinking about his mandatory commitment. Haney wants that Ryan money, and I can’t blame him. He made zero mention of his mandatory.
Ryan Garcia: Haney’s Accidental Savior
“He’s still world champion. That’s one blessing for Ryan missing the weight,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to Fight Hub TV, referring to Haney not being stripped by the WBC of his light welterweight title despite losing to Garcia.
Haney should send Ryan a thank-you and a fruit basket because the only reason he’s still a champion is that he missed weight. That’s the only reason Devin is still clinging to his title.
Someone needs to tell Hearn that Haney is already dreaming up a Ryan Garcia rematch, floating the idea of an “agreed upon” weight.
Haney does not mention wanting to fight Sandor Martin, which makes sense. There’s no dough in a fight with Martin, and that seems to be the main thing Devin and his dad, Bill Haney are focused on.
“So, he’s going to have to defend that title against Sandor Martin,” said Hearn. “I actually think that’s a good fight now. I think before if he had dealt with Ryan Garcia with ease, people probably would have said the Sandor Martin is not the fight. But now it’s a tricky fight.
“He beat Mikey Garcia and arguably beat Teofimo. Devin will want to defend his title,” said Hearn.
The question is, will Haney show the world he’s a legitimate champion by facing his mandatory, Sandor Martin, or will he chase more of that sweet cash in a rematch with Ryan?