Devin Haney steps back to become wbc junior welterweight champion in recess

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 by way of 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 obligatory title protection in opposition to WBC #1-rated challenger and obligatory contender Sandor Martin.”

Haney’s reign as WBC junior welterweight king was a comparatively quick one. After profitable the undisputed light-weight championship of the world by besting the nice Vasyl Lomachenko in a extraordinarily shut combat, 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 finished, it was Haney who absolute dominated – in his dwelling city of San Francisco, no much less. Then, nevertheless, got here final April’s combat in opposition to Garcia.

Though he completed the combat on his ft, Haney took a horrible beating from Garcia, being dropped three rimes in three completely different rounds en path to a call loss. It was all very unusual, as Garcia got here into the combat 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 take a look at outcomes, Garcia was stripped of his victory over Haney by the New York State Athletic Fee. Nonetheless, though he’s not less than considerably vindicated, there’s little question Haney was broken by Garcia’s efficiency throughout their combat (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 develop into of Haney from right here? He’s undoubtedly proficient, however – pretty or not – he was completely thrashed by Garcia. Such issues can have a bodily and emotional affect. Then once more, fighters are a uncommon breed. Haney, ought to he come again robust, definitely wouldn’t be the primary boxer to make a formidable return.

Photos: WBC