Connect with us

Featured Articles

Devin Haney and the Second Coming of the Four Kings

Published

on

Devin-Haney-and-the-Second-Coming-of-the-Four-Kings

Matchroom Boxing honcho Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Devin Haney will meet Jorge Linares on May 15 at a venue to be determined (undoubtedly somewhere where Covid restrictions have been relaxed).

At stake will be Haney’s piece of the WBC’s fractured 135-pound world title, but more relevantly it will move the 22-year-old phenom a step closer to a potential mega-fight with one of the other young guns in the division – Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, or Gervonta Davis.

Yes, that’s putting the cart before the horse. First Haney (25-0, 15 KOs) must get by Linares which on paper is no “gimme.” Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) is a former three-division world title-holder and it wasn’t long ago that the Venezuelan globetrotter gave Vasiliy Lomachenko some anxious moments before succumbing in the 10th round. But Linares is now 35 years old and many years have elapsed since he was drawing comparisons to Nicaraguan boxing legend Alexis Arguello.

Haney, Lopez, Garcia, and Davis are collectively 76-0 and each is at roughly the same stage of his career. Gervonta Davis is the old man of the bunch. He’s 26. Haney is the baby, having turned 22 this past November. But Devin is also the most experienced, having turned pro in Mexico at age 17.

During the 1980s, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, and Roberto Duran enlivened the sport, fighting each other in what amounted to a round-robin, nine fights in all fought across four weight divisions. Looking back 20-odd years later, the late Boston Herald (and TSS) columnist George Kimball dubbed them the Four Kings, a name that would stick.

It seems inevitable that Haney, Lopez, Garcia, and Davis will cross paths with each other before their careers are finished. More than one writer has dubbed the quartet the new Four Kings.

Watching Haney spar and work the bags at Bones Adams gym, his athleticism is immediately apparent. His body language is that of a professional football or basketball player. “I played running back and defensive back when I was a kid and I was very good at it,” says Haney, “but by the time I was eight years old, I knew what I wanted to be, a world champion boxer.” And so, Haney, with the encouragement of his father and coach, Bill Haney, put all of his eggs in one basket. Devin wasn’t yet in middle school when the Haneys pulled up stakes in Oakland and made Las Vegas their primary residence. There is no better place to nurture an aspiring world champion.

As an amateur, Haney won a slew of national tournaments beginning at age 13 when he weighed 106 pounds. Among his coaches was Floyd Mayweather Sr, who pronounced Devin his best prospect since “Little Floyd.” Nevada has a rule that a boxer must be 18 years old to turn pro, but the state athletic commission under its current head Bob Bennett softened the rule, allowing exceptions when there are “special circumstances.” Haney passed muster and made his first stateside appearance seven months before he turned 18 in a 4-round bout on the undercard of Pacquaio-Bradley II at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Haney and his fellow “kings” have traded barbs on social media. Devin has sparred with Teofimo and Gervonta and he and Ryan Garcia have a history. They fought six times as amateurs (only four have found their way into BoxRec) and the series ended at 3-3.

Some of the trash talk has gotten ugly. Trash talk in boxing has a harder edge to it than trash talk in other sports. Boxing promoters like it that way. When pressed, however, Haney concedes that he respects the other fighters in his “kingdom.” Nor does he bear any ill will toward Tim Bradley although Bradley ruffled his feathers when he said that Haney didn’t earn his belt but had it handed to him by the WBC which elevated him from the interim title-holder to the regular title-holder when the organization designated Vasiliy Lomachenko its “franchise champion.”

Bradley also said that Devin had yet to fight a world-class opponent. That was rather harsh as although Devin’s most recent opponent Yuriorkis Gamboa was well past his prime, he was certainly no slouch. Fighting in Gamboa’s backyard in Hollywood, Florida, Haney pitched a near-shutout, winning all 12 rounds on two of the cards despite fighting much of the bout with a fractured thumb on his right hand.

Bill Haney recently announced that he was stepping aside as his son’s lead trainer so that he could focus more time on business matters and on raising his two younger children, an 11-year-old-son and a 6-year-old daughter. However, going forward Devin expects his dad to continue to be the main man in his corner on fight nights.

Other trainers have always had input into molding Haney into the fighting machine that he has become. There were several coaches there on Tuesday as we watched him go through his paces. Among those observing closely and proffering advice as Haney floated around the ring, hitting the pads with Kevin Henry and then Mickey Bey, was the sprightly octogenarian Thell Torrence, a disciple of the late Eddie Futch. In his California days, Torrence was the chief trainer of Ken Norton, among others.

A common lament among boxing coaches – a lament heard in every generation — is that kids nowadays are hard to teach because they think they already know everything. What struck this reporter watching Haney’s workout was how open he was to instruction. He soaked it all in, seemingly aware that at age 22 he hadn’t come close to reaching his peak. When he reaches it, he will likely be one or two weight classes up from where he is now, and that will likely be true also of the other young guns currently residing in his pod.

They say that too many cooks can spoil the broth, but when it comes to boxing the Haneys would disagree. Asked who he patterned himself after, Devin said “no one, I’m unique,” and he didn’t say it in an arrogant way but as way of saying that he’s been introduced to so many styles of boxing that he is something of a chameleon, able to summon up whatever style works best depending on the situation.

In our conversation, Haney gave a “shout out” to Oscar Valdez whose recent upset of Miguel Berchelt had the boxing world buzzing. Haney hopes to make the same impression when he fights Linares. It’s unlikely the fight will assume the same tack – Valdez took some punishment before re-establishing control – but it’s a safe guess that the buzz surrounding Devin Haney will get a lot louder.

Check out more boxing news on video at the Boxing Channel

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles8 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles8 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending