Devin Haney has plenty of options after defending the undisputed lightweight championship, and Deontay Wilder is back as a top heavyweight. What should be next for both fighters?
Devin Haney showed once again this weekend why he deserves pound-for-pound consideration, while Deontay Wilder’s right hand was back in action, finishing Robert Helenius in Round 1, announcing his return as a top challenger in the division.
After two consecutive stoppage losses to Tyson Fury, Wilder’s future was in doubt. But he showed that he can beat anybody in the division not named Fury. Is a fight against Andy Ruiz Jr. his best next option?
Haney returned to Australia for a rematch against George Kambosos Jr. and the result was the same: another dominant victory by Haney to retain the undisputed lightweight championship. Next could/should be a fight against Vasiliy Lomachenko, but by having all four major titles, Haney’s options are limitless.
Mike Coppinger and Ben Baby react to Haney and Wilder’s victories and what should be next for both of them.
Devin Haney proved once again that he’s one of the sport’s elite by easily outboxing George Kambosos Jr. over 12 rounds on Saturday.
The true test of Haney’s greatness, though, lies ahead. And it could come next.
Haney said he’s interested in a fight next year with former pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko, and there’s a clear path to a deal.
Haney has one fight remaining on his deal with Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment, and Bob Arum’s company is the longtime promoter of Lomachenko. Assuming Lomachenko cruises past Jamaine Ortiz on Oct. 29, as expected, a deal should come into play for Haney-Lomachenko in the spring.
Against Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Haney would have to be at his best, using his ring IQ, footwork and superior size to keep Lomachenko at the end of his jab.
Easier said than done, of course, against a great fighter like Lomachenko, who uses uncanny angles, elite speed and the game’s best footwork to create openings.
