Undisputed lightweight champion, Devin Haney, is facing a crucial decision with the deadline this Friday, July 21st: to either defend his 135-lb title against mandatory Shakur Stevenson or step up a division to challenge WBC light welterweight champion, Regis Prograis. This update, revealed in an interview with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, underlines the high stakes and potential career-defining crossroads for Haney.
The 30-0 boxing phenom may have already dropped a hint regarding his decision, having responded to Prograis on social media with a cryptic prediction of an October fight. This tilt towards Prograis may be a strategic move, given Prograis’ less-than-stellar performance against Danielito Zorrilla in June. The 34-year-old champion’s victory in his Matchroom Boxing debut seemed lackluster, opening up an opportunity for a confident and rising Haney. On the other hand, the undefeated Stevenson poses a formidable challenge, having recently secured the WBC mandatory spot with a sixth-round triumph over Shuichiro Yoshino.
Haney’s decision has been pending for some time, with the WBC slow to order his face-off with Stevenson. There were speculations that Haney might have been waiting to see if Gervonta Davis would express interest in a fight, but with no signs of that happening, the move to challenge Prograis seems more likely. This decision reflects a significant moment in Haney’s career trajectory as he looks to make his mark at 140.
Regardless of Haney’s decision, the ripple effects will be felt throughout the lightweight division. Should Haney move up, Stevenson is expected to face the highest-ranked available contender in the WBC’s top ten ranking for the soon-to-be vacated WBC belt. Notably, Vasily Lomachenko ranks number one, despite his recent loss to Haney in May. This decision will undoubtedly cause a shift in the boxing landscape and raise expectations for the upcoming fights.
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