By Adam Baskin: In an odd transfer, the WBC has given Devin Haney to light-weight ‘Champion in Recess’ tag, permitting him to maneuver as much as gentle welterweight to problem champion Regis Progais in October.
Haney being demoted to ‘Champion in Recess’ primarily means he’s been stripped of his WBC light-weight title. That’s what it comes right down to, a Haney is now not the champion, however he can struggle for the belt towards the subsequent champion.
The WBC says Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) can return to the 135-lb division and problem for his former title with a 50-50 cut up. Adam Baskin would say the percentages of Haney agreeing to struggle Shakur Stevenson for the WBC belt are about zero.
WBC makes an odd resolution
Usually, the World Boxing Council provides their ‘Champion in Recess’ tag to their belt-holders which are injured or inactive for no matter purpose.
The WBC board of governors’ resolution to offer Haney the tag means that they’re looking for him as a result of he actually needs to be stripped as a result of he’s bypassing his light-weight obligatory Shakur Stevenson to go as much as 140 for his personal private causes, which includes these three issues:
Cash
Capturing WBC 140 title provides him a bargaining chip to barter a struggle with Teofimo Lopez, the WBO champ.
Legacy – to turn out to be a two-division champ
Most would agree that Haney received’t attempt to win again his belt as a result of that will possible imply preventing Shakur Stevenson, who Devin not too long ago provided 25% and was agency with that supply.
If Haney does return to 135, it’ll be to make an easy protection of his IBF belt towards his obligatory George Kambosos Jr. Yeah, it’ll look unhealthy Haney preventing Kambosos, a man he’s crushed twice, but it surely’s simple cash and far after than risking his unbeaten report preventing Shakur.
Haney is a kind of varieties of fighters that takes calculated dangers relatively than ones which are 50-50.
Haney hopes Gervonta Davis will present curiosity in preventing him for his remaining three light-weight belts, but it surely’s unknown whether or not the Baltimore native will entertain the thought.
Shakur Stevenson to struggle for vacant WBC belt
The WBC will order #2 Shakur Stevenson to struggle #1 Vasily Lomachenko for the vacant light-weight title they stripped from Haney. If Lomachenko refuses, the WBC will transfer down the record of contenders of their high 15 rating at 135.
Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is #3 within the WBC’s rankings, however he’s put his profession in a holding sample, avoiding dangerous fights whereas ready & hoping for a rematch towards Gervonta Davis.
Ultimately, one of many contenders within the WBC’s high 15 rankings will conform to struggle Shakur for the vacant 135-lb title.
