The WBC has directed Devin Haney, the current light welterweight champion with a fight history of 35 wins, 1 loss, and 15 knockouts, to protect his title against Sandor Martin, the mandatory challenger, who holds a record of 42 wins, 3 losses, and 15 knockouts.
Martin has been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to compete for a world title and is unlikely to agree to step aside. Given Haney’s recent loss to Ryan Garcia and concerns about his ability to withstand punches, this is an optimal moment for Martin to rightfully vie for the championship.
Purse bids for the Haney vs. Martin clash are scheduled for June 18th, as per Mundo Deportivo. It remains to be determined whether Haney will proceed with his title defense or opt to relinquish his WBC title in pursuit of more financially rewarding matchups against notable adversaries like Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz or Teofimo Lopez.
If Haney wishes to retain his WBC title, he might propose a step-aside arrangement to Martin, but it is improbable to be accepted. Given the overdue mandatory challenge, Martin is expected to press for the fight, particularly after giving Teofimo Lopez a challenging match in their previous encounter.
Challenging Martin poses a formidable test for Haney, as the Spaniard has demonstrated to be a resilient opponent. Despite the fight potentially lacking high pay-per-view viewership on DAZN, Haney must contemplate his choices judiciously.
To prevent a negative impact on his career, Haney might consider emulating Ryan Garcia by contemplating featuring the bout against Martin on regular DAZN broadcasts instead of a pay-per-view event. A defeat to Martin could prove disastrous for Haney’s career, possibly necessitating a return to the 135-pound division for a fresh start.
