Every star in boxing has his coming out party. Devin Haney believes this is his.
The gifted 22-year-old, who owns the WBC’s secondary lightweight title, will face arguably the biggest test of his career when he tangles with veteran Jorge Linares on Saturday at Micelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas (DAZN).
Linares, 35, probably is beyond his peak but he the former three-division titleholder remains formidable.
“This is the time I’ve been waiting for; this is the moment and my time to finally shine against an incredible opponent and thinks he can put up a good fight and win against me. This is a huge opportunity for me, this is time to show everything I’m made of.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxEW-z7kBHU
Haney (25-0, 15 KOs) was recognized as the sport’s youngest champion at 20 when the WBC elevated him to full titleholder after elevating Vasiliy Lomachenko to “franchise” champion late in 2019.
And he has some notable victories, including a near-shutout decision over then-38-year-old Yuriorkis Gamboa this past November.
Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) certainly is a step up from Gamboa, at least on paper. The Japan-based Venezuelan, an excellent technician, fought Lomachenko on even terms before he was stopped in the 10th round in May 2018.
He was stopped in one round by Pablo Cesar Cano eight months later but that bout was fought at 140 pounds, after which he moved back down in weight and has won twice.
Linares is about an 8-1 underdog against Haney, which is a wide margin. Still, a victory over a proven commodity like Linares would be another step toward the stardom that Haney envisions for himself.
“Like Jorge said, this is a whole new level but I’m ready for it,” Haney said. “It’ll be a very dominant performance. I think the world will be surprised at what kind of performance it is. I think even Jorge will be surprised at what type of fighter I am.”
Bill Haney, the fighter’s father and trainer, echoed his son’s comments.
“These are the kind of fights that bring out the best in a fighter,” he elder Haney said. “A young fighter like Devin with so much in his toolbox, [an] arsenal full of different kinds of punches. It’s just a great opportunity.
“We want Jorge to come at his best and bring out those things so we can showcase to the people what a wonderful talent he is.”
And then, if he’s victorious, he would move on to the likes of Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia and Lomachenko.
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