Devin Haney recently made headlines by giving up his WBC light welterweight title instead of facing mandatory challenger Sandor Martin, sparking disapproval from fans who see this as Haney focusing more on his market value than his in-ring performance.
Critics argue that Haney’s confidence in his market worth may be premature, considering he has yet to deliver standout performances against top-tier opponents like Ryan Garcia, Vasily Lomachenko, and Jorge Linares that would justify significant paydays.
With the WBC designating Haney as ‘champion in recess’ and promoting interim titleholder Alberto Puello to full champion status, Haney’s future plans remain unclear. Speculation abounds that he might be waiting for Ryan Garcia’s suspension to end in hopes of setting up a lucrative rematch before potentially retiring.
However, engaging in bouts during Garcia’s suspension could pose risks for Haney, especially if he faces tough competition such as Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Isaac Cruz, Teofimo Lopez, or Shakur Stevenson, potentially thwarting his chances of a profitable future fight. Ultimately, Haney’s choice to vacate his title has stirred debate about his priorities and the trajectory of his career.
