Devin Haney has a tough act to follow.
Last Saturday, George Kambosos shocked Teofimo Lopez and the boxing world by winning a split decision to become undisputed lightweight champion. Haney, who fights Joseph Diaz Jr. on Saturday in Las Vegas (DAZN), says the fans haven’t seen anything yet.
“Of course, I’m the best lightweight,” he said at the final news conference before the fight. “You guys will see December 4. I’ll be one step closer to having all the belts in the lightweight division. It all starts on December 4 and I can’t wait.”
Haney (26-0, 15 KOs) is coming off his most-impressive victory, a unanimous decision over veteran Jorge Linares in May. Diaz could be an even bigger challenge.
The 2012 U.S. Olympian and former junior lightweight titleholder has ability and experience in big fights. And he seems to appreciate the opportunity at hand. If he wins, he’ll join Kambosos and Gervonta Davis at the head of the 135-pound class.
Diaz (32-1-1, 15 KOs) doesn’t plan to leave anything in the ring.
“My main focus in Devin Haney and beating the s— out of him, taking his will and soul come Saturday night,” he said. “My main focus right now is just going out there and punishing him.”
Haney isn’t fazed by Diaz’s bold comments.
“He keeps saying he’s going to dog me, beat the s— out of me. We’ll see,” he said. “Everybody has got a plan until they get into the ring. When it doesn’t work, then we’ll see what it really is. He can say what he wants to say, I can say what I want to say. On December 4 I will go in there and I will show.”
The pressure would seem to be on Haney, who holds a secondary title and is favored to win.
A victory will lead to bigger fights and an opportunity to realize what he believes is his destiny, to become undisputed lightweight king. A loss would leave him the same position as Lopez, who now must begin a rebuilding process.
Haney said he’s 100% prepared.
“I don’t think there’s any pressure,” he said. “At the end of the day I’m going to go in there and do what I’ve got to do. We had a great training camp, we studied JoJo, I feel like me and my team know JoJo know better than his own coach. We know what he’s going to do, what he’s going to throw, we studied him so well we know the mistakes he’s going to make and the habits he has.
“We’re going to go in there and do what we do best.”
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