Devin Haney put on another impressive performance on Friday night at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 20-year-old Haney defeated Zaur Abdullaev(11-1, 7 KOs) by TKO after Abdullaev’s corner called the fight following the fourth round, and according to Matchroom Boxing, Abdullaev may have suffered a broken eye-socket.
Haney (23-0 15 KOs) promised to dazzle in the biggest night of his career and first in the Big Apple, and the Las Vegas sensation backed up every word against the unbeaten Russian.
‘The Dream’ is now the mandatory challenger for the WBC crown held by Ukrainian star Vasiliy Lomachenko, who also holds the WBA and WBO straps, but if he does not get Loma, Haney is willing to take any of the other top names at 135.
“I’m willing to fight whoever,” Haney said at the post-fight press conference. “I been saying this for a long time, whoever they put in front of me, I’ll beat. I’m able to adjust to anybody. I feel like I’m one of the best fighters in the world, and I’m willing to showcase my skills against whoever they put in front of me.”
Haney may return in November on the undercard of the KSI vs. Logan Paul rematch at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Haney has made it clear that he wants Lomachenko, but because of the politics in boxing, Lomachenko is with Top Rank/ESPN, and Haney is with Matchroom/DAZN, there is a good possibility that this fight never happens, and by the time it could happen, Haney might be too big for 135. Therefore, don’t be surprised if we don’t ever see Loma-Haney.
