Devin Haney on his rivals Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia: “The four kings are undeveloped. We are all young and we have time but we have to fight together to stamp our names into the history books. ”
By James Dielhenn & Andy Scott
Last updated: 10/02/21 11:59 am
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Watch this Devin Haney KO after a great right hand!
Watch this Devin Haney KO after a great right hand!
Devin Haney has lamented the grievances of Teofimo Lopez and is convinced they must fight because “we need to know who the real king is”.
Lopez, Haney, Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis are four undeveloped Americans in their 20s at the sharp end of the lightweight division with plenty of exciting fights against each other in the future.
IBF, WBA and WBO, Lopez, previously released by Vasiliy Lomachenko Sky Sports: “Devin has written. But that ‘s okay, we will help him in this process.
Lopez stopped Lomachenko last year
“I tried to save his career. I didn’t look at you. I tried to defend his career. I told him to give it three or five years.”
WBC champion Haney has now revealed Sky Sports: “Why would he want to save my career? How does that benefit him? We are not friends.
“This guy is a liar. Look at his interviews. He says one thing in one interview, then says a different thing in a different interview.
“One day he’s going to send me and [his mandatory challenger] George Kambosos Jr. contract to see who signs first.
“One day it’s going to save my career. One day, one day that.
“His lies won’t add up.”
Lopez holds IBF, WBA and WBO gold
Haney is a lightweight WBC champion
Lopez is expected to face Kambosos Jr next but said of Haney: “He has to take the fight. [against me]. We choose the date and the month because we are the A side. Understand the situation.
“He’s younger than me, he still has more development to make. He’s not the strongest man at 135lbs. He has so many flaws in his game.
“But it’s awful – no one outside of myself would hit it.”
Haney says Lopez is his favorite opponent in an interesting category: “Because I want all belts. We need to know who the real king is at 135lbs. Who the real champion is without a doubt ?
“The only way to fix that is to fight.
“I see Teofimo as a No 1 threat then ‘Tank’ Davis. I feel like ‘Tank’ is actually a 130lbs fighter. He had trouble with Yuriorkis Gamboa moving up in weight – he ‘s a lot smaller than the other boys at 135lbs. “
Davis holds a draft of the WBA lightweight title while Garcia shone in a progressive performance by stopping Luke Campbell and has now been reported in talks to fight Manny Pacquiao.
Haney said of his rivals: “The four kings are undeveloped. We are the young boys who are coming up, a new era of boxing.
“They compare us to such a good time – Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Ray Robinson’s ‘Sugar’ – but those boys were fighting against each other.
“We are all young and have time but we must fight together to stamp our names into the history books.
“They’re all big fights.”
Ryan Garcia is a compelling opponent for Haney
Garcia became a compelling opponent on Haney’s WBC belt by defeating Campbell.
Haney was next to the ring to watch his next opponent in the flesh but he doesn’t think Garcia will still be willing to meet in the ring.
“That’s part of making those fights happen, pushing for it, letting the fans know you want it,” he said of Garcia’s previous fight attendance.
“I knew he wouldn’t fight me. I was hoping, because it was mandatory for me, that he would fight me.
“Two guys fighting in the elimination of a title and the winner not fighting the hero? I’ve never heard of it.
“We point fingers at the control groups but you have to point fingers at the cheats because that’s what waters down the belts.
“Fighters don’t really care about belts.”
Haney said of Garcia recovering from an early knockdown to keep his record unscathed: “I was surprised that it was knocked down because I expected it to blow Campbell out of the box. But Campbell did not come to bed.
“Garcia showed grit, heart and could rise and return stronger.”