Avila Perspective, Chap 48: Devin Haney, ‘CasKilla’ and Ito

American boxing fans east of the Rockies get their first glimpse at Devin “the Dream” Haney this weekend.

The 20-year-old with the fast hands and smooth fighting style signed with Matchroom Boxing after being courted by several promoters the past two years. It’s not without reason he was chased.

At the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Haney (21-0) meets Antonio Moran (24-3, 17 KOs) in a 10 round bout for the WBC International lightweight title. DAZN will stream the fight.

Haney, now 20, might be better called the “Daring” Devin Haney. He was only 17 years old when he quit amateur boxing and sought battles on the other side of the Mexican border. For those unfamiliar with Mexico, no guarantees of victory exist in places like Tijuana. Boxing is like religion. I’ve seen referees allow fighters to use every dirty trick available including blasting someone’s knee caps with blows.

The Las Vegas resident fought through last-minute opponents, veterans with hatred for American fighters and against youngsters who cared little about Haney’s amateur accomplishments. But the ultra-athletic Haney learned quickly the difference between amateur boxing and prizefighting.

“It was a great experience because I was fighting guys who would test me,” said Haney last year. “They used all kind of tricks. I learned a lot.”

After 18 pro fights Haney stepped up in class and in front of a national television audience met highly regarded Mason Menard at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Haney retired the tough Louisiana fighter in the ninth round to win the vacant USBA lightweight title.

Next up was Tijuana’s ultra-tough Juan Carlos Burgos a veteran of several world title fights including a 12-round clash with Mikey Garcia. In their match last summer at Pechanga Resort and Casino, the Las Vegas fighter used his smooth fighting skills to soundly defeat the Mexican veteran.

Though he possessed the capacity to hit and run all night, he preferred to slug it out.

Now he’s facing yet another tough Mexican in Antonio Moran.

“Moran put up a great fight with Jose Pedraza but I’m not Pedraza. I’m different. I am going to prove it on Saturday and show you something that you have never seen before – especially from a 20-year-old,” said Haney.

Moran, 26, is a tall lightweight from Mexico City, he’s fought and won numerous regional titles and knows what a win could do for his career.

“We trained 9,000 feet up in the mountains. I am thankful to Matchroom and DAZN. I am planning to put all that hard work on the line on Saturday,” Moran said.

Haney loves a challenge and knows anything can happen when fighting a Mexican veteran.

“My ring IQ at my age is crazy, I’m able to adapt and adjust, I’ve been in there with so many great fighters like Floyd Mayweather, Shawn Porter, Amir Khan, and I’m able to adjust,” says Haney. “Moran is a very tall fighter who brings a lot experience to the ring. I know he’ll be at his very best. He’s had two months to prepare for me. I’m prepared as well for anything that he’s going to bring on fight night.”

It’s always interesting to watch youngsters like Haney dare to be great at a young age. Daring is a perfect description for the Las Vegas prizefighter.

Dangerous Jessica McCaskill

Also on the same Matchroom Boxing card will be a unification clash between Chicago’s Jessica “Caskilla” McCaskill (6-2) the WBC super lightweight titlist and Argentina’s Anahi Sanchez (19-3) the WBA super lightweight titlist. These two female fighters are not shy about throwing punches. DAZN will stream the fight.

McCaskill dethroned long-time champion Erica Farias in October last year. It was a shock to the boxing world especially at the ease she accomplished the win. But for those who don’t know about the Chicago fighter, she nearly dropped Ireland’s Katie Taylor with a staggering left hook when they met in December 2017. It remains Taylor’s toughest fight.

“My mind is always ready to fight. I’m always hungry for something because I don’t do this for nothing,” said McCaskill.

Sanchez is no slouch either. The Argentine fighter has moved up from super featherweight to super lightweight and has never been knocked out despite facing some very strong opposition.

Expect a slugfest in this super lightweight unification battle.

WBO Super Featherweight Title

Japan’s Masayuki Ito (25-1-1, 13 KOs) returns to Florida where he first captured the WBO super featherweight title and makes his second defense on Saturday May 25, against Jamel Herring (19-2, 10 KOs).

Ito upset Puerto Rico’s Christopher Diaz a year ago and handed him his first loss as a pro. Then the Japanese fighter knocked out Russia’s Evgeny Chuprakov and gave him his first loss too.

ESPN will televise the world title fight between Ito and Herring a former US Marine who goes by the nickname “Semper Fi.”

It’s an interesting matchup that features the talented Ito against the taller rangier southpaw Herring.

Also on the card will be Puerto Rico’s talented Jose Pedraza (25-2, 12 KOs) after giving Vasyl Lomachenko a tough 12 round fight in a losing struggle. The Boricua proved his mettle in that fight last December and returns to face Mexico’s Ines Antonio Lozada (40-2-1) who knocked out Felix Verdejo a year ago. Puerto Rico versus Mexico is always a great fight.

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