By: Sean Crose
“WBC Tremendous Light-weight World Champion Devin Haney requested to be positioned within the standing of Champion in Recess,” the World Boxing Council introduced on Monday through a press assertion. “The WBC Board of Governors unanimously granted Champion Haney’s request and has declared him WBC World Champion in Recess.” And so, Haney, recent off a extremely controversial defeat to Ryan Garcia, has stepped away from the WBC’s junior welterweight belt.
“Concurrently therewith,” the WBC continued, “the WBC Board of Governors declared present Interim World Champion Alberto Puello as WBC World Tremendous Light-weight Champion…pursuant to its Guidelines and Laws, the WBC will order the free negotiations interval for Champion Puello’s necessary title protection towards WBC #1-rated challenger and necessary contender Sandor Martin.”
Haney’s reign as WBC junior welterweight king was a comparatively brief one. After profitable the undisputed light-weight championship of the world by besting the nice Vasyl Lomachenko in a extraordinarily shut struggle, Haney moved as much as junior welterweight and battled Regis Prograis for Prograis’ WBC belt. It was a extremely anticipated bout, however when all was mentioned and achieved, it was Haney who absolute dominated – in his dwelling city of San Francisco, no much less. Then, nonetheless, got here final April’s struggle towards Garcia.
Though he completed the struggle on his toes, Haney took a horrible beating from Garcia, being dropped three rimes in three totally different rounds en path to a choice loss. It was all very unusual, as Garcia got here into the struggle over the scheduled weight whereas claiming he drank within the leadup to the match. Nonetheless, there was no denying Garcia dominated his man honest and sq.. Till, that’s, it was found Garcia examined optimistic for the banned substance ostarine in exams taken earlier than and after the bout with Haney.
As a consequence of the optimistic drug check outcomes, Garcia was stripped of his victory over Haney by the New York State Athletic Fee. Nonetheless, though he’s at the least considerably vindicated, there’s little doubt Haney was broken by Garcia’s efficiency throughout their struggle (the way it all would have turned out had Garcia not had a banned drug in his system is just a query with out a solution).
One other query is what’s going to turn out to be of Haney from right here? He’s undoubtedly gifted, however – pretty or not – he was completely thrashed by Garcia. Such issues can have a bodily and emotional impression. Then once more, fighters are a uncommon breed. Haney, ought to he come again robust, actually wouldn’t be the primary boxer to make a formidable return.
Photos: WBC
