Devin Haney plans to make statement like Lopez, ‘Tank’

Devin Haney said he expects to make a strong statement when he fights Yuriorkis Gamboa on Saturday in Florida.

Teofimo Lopez and Gervonta Davis’ made their statements in high-profile lightweight fights. And Ryan Garcia is riding a string of dramatic knockouts.

Now it’s Devin Haney’s turn.

Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) faces veteran Yuriorkis Gamboa on Saturday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., the 21-year-old’s first fight since he outpointed Alfredo Santiago almost exactly a year ago.

He was asked during the final news conference whether he feels he must stop Gamboa in dramatic fashion to get big fights.

“Honestly I feel I have to look bad to get these guys in the ring with me,” he said. “The better that I look, it seems, the more they run. I’m going to put on a statement performance, get the job done and beat him worse than he’s ever been beaten before.

“… Tune in on Saturday night. It’s going to be fireworks.”

Haney doesn’t seem to be taking a victory over Gamboa (30-3, 18 KOs) for granted.

The 2004 Olympic champion and former featherweight champ from Cuba, 38, is coming off a 12th-round knockout loss to Lopez in which he was surprisingly resilient even though he claims to have fought with an injured Achilles’ tendon last December.

Before that, he had four consecutive victories, including an impressive second-round stoppage of former titleholder Roman Martinez in July of last year in which he showed his old explosiveness.

Gamboa arguably will be Haney’s toughest opponent to date.

“He’s the type of fighter that will bring his all,” Haney said. “Every fight he goes in there, no matter if he’s hurt, and lays it all on the line. … I have a lot of things that I have to do to get the win on Saturday.

“The main thing is to go into the ring and dominate. I don’t want to just get the win, I want to make a statement. This will be a statement victory. I want to go in the ring and show Gamboa I’m the best fighter he’s been in the ring with.”

Devin Haney wants to make a strong statement against Gamboa. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom

Meanwhile, Gamboa was asked to compare the ability of Lopez and Haney. He refused, saying the only thing that matters is what happens in the ring Saturday.

And he certainly isn’t taking anything Haney has said to heart. Gamboa has been boxing for around three decades. He has seen it all. He’s healthy, he’s confident and he’s ready to surprise people.

“Haney can say whatever he wants,” he said. “Once we’re in the ring the only person in charge is God, and I’ll be there to fight. God gave me this opportunity. I’m here to fight, and God will have his say on Saturday night.”

[lawrence-related id=15305,15285,15258]

Devin Haney plans to make statement like Lopez, ‘Tank’

Devin Haney said he expects to make a strong statement when he fights Yuriorkis Gamboa on Saturday in Florida.

Teofimo Lopez and Gervonta Davis’ made their statements in high-profile lightweight fights. And Ryan Garcia is riding a string of dramatic knockouts.

Now it’s Devin Haney’s turn.

Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) faces veteran Yuriorkis Gamboa on Saturday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., the 21-year-old’s first fight since he outpointed Alfredo Santiago almost exactly a year ago.

He was asked during the final news conference whether he feels he must stop Gamboa in dramatic fashion to get big fights.

“Honestly I feel I have to look bad to get these guys in the ring with me,” he said. “The better that I look, it seems, the more they run. I’m going to put on a statement performance, get the job done and beat him worse than he’s ever been beaten before.

“… Tune in on Saturday night. It’s going to be fireworks.”

Haney doesn’t seem to be taking a victory over Gamboa (30-3, 18 KOs) for granted.

The 2004 Olympic champion and former featherweight champ from Cuba, 38, is coming off a 12th-round knockout loss to Lopez in which he was surprisingly resilient even though he claims to have fought with an injured Achilles’ tendon last December.

Before that, he had four consecutive victories, including an impressive second-round stoppage of former titleholder Roman Martinez in July of last year in which he showed his old explosiveness.

Gamboa arguably will be Haney’s toughest opponent to date.

“He’s the type of fighter that will bring his all,” Haney said. “Every fight he goes in there, no matter if he’s hurt, and lays it all on the line. … I have a lot of things that I have to do to get the win on Saturday.

“The main thing is to go into the ring and dominate. I don’t want to just get the win, I want to make a statement. This will be a statement victory. I want to go in the ring and show Gamboa I’m the best fighter he’s been in the ring with.”

Devin Haney wants to make a strong statement against Gamboa. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom

Meanwhile, Gamboa was asked to compare the ability of Lopez and Haney. He refused, saying the only thing that matters is what happens in the ring Saturday.

And he certainly isn’t taking anything Haney has said to heart. Gamboa has been boxing for around three decades. He has seen it all. He’s healthy, he’s confident and he’s ready to surprise people.

“Haney can say whatever he wants,” he said. “Once we’re in the ring the only person in charge is God, and I’ll be there to fight. God gave me this opportunity. I’m here to fight, and God will have his say on Saturday night.”

[lawrence-related id=15305,15285,15258]