On Saturday, Devin Haney maintained his position atop the lightweight division with a polarizing decision victory against Vasyl Lomachenko. Despite his detractors, Haney now holds all the belts and is arguably the second-biggest commercial draw in the division. Moving forward, he has the ability to pursue big money fights with the likes of Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Shakur Stevenson or move up in weight and challenge Regis Prograis or Rolando Romero. Also, he’s more than earned the ability to have a homecoming fight in the Bay Area. With all of those options in mind, here is a survey of what could be in store for the undefeated fighter.
Gervonta “Tank” Davis
Record: 29-0 (27 KOs)
Division: Lightweight
Ideal Location: Las Vegas, NV
Prediction: Davis def. Haney (TKO, 11)
On a scale of 1-10, how much would you like to see this fight: 8
On a scale of 1-10, how likely it is that he will be Haney’s next opponent: 3
After earning a career-defining victory against Vasyl Lomachenko, Devin Haney informed Bernardo Osuna of ESPN that he’d be open to moving up to the super lightweight division. However, he left the door open to another fight at lightweight if an opportunity to fight either Gervonta Davis or Shakur Stevenson presented itself. Well, Shakur Stevenson will likely move up to the 140-pound division in the future, so there’s not necessarily the same urgency to make that fight happen this year on his end. In contrast, Gervonta Davis is best suited to remain at 135 pounds for as long as he can. More importantly, he is a proven box office draw that generates money and excitement in any city that he fights in. However, there is one roadblock. Davis is currently serving a home confinement sentence in Maryland and will not be back in the ring until the fall at the earliest. Also, Davis works closely with Showtime and PBC. For the fight to take place, Haney would likely have to sign a deal with PBC. Simply put, a few things would have to fall into place for this fight to take place, but it’s not off the table.
Shakur Stevenson
Record: 20-0 (10 KOs)
Division: Lightweight
Ideal Location: New York, NY
Prediction: Stevenson def. Haney (UD, 12)
On a scale of 1-10, how much would you like to see this fight: 10
On a scale of 1-10, how likely it is that he will be Haney’s next opponent: 2
Moments after Haney earned a narrow decision victory against Vasyl Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson hopped in the ring and called him out.
“Let’s make it happen, I think that should happen next. Devin’s not on my level and I’m [gonna] show it,” he said.
Stevenson may want to fight Haney next, but is there enough financial incentive for the lightweight champion to stay in the weight class? Haney has not shied away from saying that he’d like to move up to super lightweight, but has left the door open for one more fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis or Stevenson. Davis has expressed a desire to stay at 135 pounds for as long as he possibly can while Stevenson will more than likely move to 140 pounds in the future. With that in mind, it may make more sense to fight Davis while he can and fight Stevenson down the line. On the other hand, Davis’s team may steer him away from that fight right after serving a short sentence in the state of Maryland.
Vasyl Lomachenko
Record: 17-3 (11 KOs)
Division: Lightweight
Ideal Location: Las Vegas, NV
Prediction: Haney def. Lomachenko (UD, 12)
On a scale of 1-10, how much would you like to see this fight: 9
On a scale of 1-10, how likely it is that he will be Haney’s next opponent: 1
The world was watching closely on May 20, 2023 as Vasyl Lomachenko challenged Devin Haney for all four of his championship belts. Ultimately, Haney emerged with the win, but there were quite a few fans and fighters who felt Lomachenko won the fight. For boxing fans, a rematch makes all the sense in the world. However, there’s little incentive for Haney to take a rematch unless there is major guaranteed money attached to the event. Why? Devin Haney could very well move up to super lightweight and Lomachenko would probably not chase him up to the 140-pound division. Not to mention, the Ukrainian fighter could drop down to super featherweight. Also, Lomachenko is locked into a contract with Top Rank while Haney is a free agent for the time being. Above all else, Lomachenko has had to balance his time between defending his country and boxing at the world’s highest levels.
Regis Prograis
Record: 28-1 (24 KOs)
Division: Lightweight
Ideal Location: Las Vegas, NV
Prediction: Stevenson def. Haney (UD, 12)
On a scale of 1-10, how much would you like to see this fight: 7
On a scale of 1-10, how likely it is that he will be Haney’s next opponent: 1
Devin Haney is a promotional free agent, who has a positive working relationship with the promoter of 140-pound champion Regis Prograis — Eddie Hearn. If Haney does decide to leave Top Rank and ESPN. Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing could be of interest to him as the company represents Prograis, Richardson Hitchins, Montana Love and potential 140-pound challenger, Andy Cruz. Not to mention, 140-pound champion Subriel Matias may also be on the move to Matchroom Boxing. With all of that said, Prograis is a rough, rugged hard-hitting fighter who puts his opponents to the test every time out. For fans, a matchup between the two would be an early Christmas gift. For Haney, it may not make financial sense and it’s a tough fight that he really put him through the fire. Down the line, this fight could definitely happen if all things fall into place, but it’s hard to see it happening this year.
Teofimo Lopez-Josh Taylor
Division: Lightweight
Ideal Location: Las Vegas, NV
On a scale of 1-10, how much would you like to see this fight: 7
On a scale of 1-10, how likely it is that he will be Haney’s next opponent: 3
On June 10, 2023, Teofimo Lopez will challenge Josh Taylor for the WBO Super Lightweight Championship. Taylor appears to be the early betting favorite, but Lopez is a former undisputed lightweight champion with a lot to prove. If Haney moves up to super lightweight, he could look to challenge the winner of the next month’s title bout. With that said, Haney is a promotional free agent. Taylor is reportedly locked into a deal with Top Rank at the moment, but Lopez will be a free agent after this fight as well. In the event the two men are free agents, it would theoretically be easier to make that fight happen. In the event that Taylor wins, things would become more complicated, but Top Rank does have a few super lightweight contenders that may or may not interest the Bay Area native.
Honorable Mention: Rolando “Rolly” Romero
Record: 15-1 (13 KOs)
Division: Super Lightweight
Ideal Location: Las Vegas, NV
On a scale of 1-10, how much would you like to see this fight: 5
On a scale of 1-10, how likely it is that he will be Haney’s next opponent: 5
In his last three outings, Devin Haney has had to travel across the world to fight George Kambosos in Australia twice and battle Vasyl Lomachenko in the biggest battle of his career thus far. If he does move up in weight, Haney may look for the easiest option that will offer a suitable reward. Well, Rolando “Rolly” Romero may fit that description. Romero is a titleholder at 140 pounds, but he didn’t look great in his last fight against Ismael Barroso. He was also knocked out in his lone bout with an elite opponent — Gervonta Davis. By winning all four belts at lightweight, Haney can move up and immediately challenge for Romero’s title. Not to mention, Romero is great at selling fights and it could boost Haney’s PPV resume. There may be one roadblock. Romero fights on Showtime through Mayweather Promotions and Haney may be asked to sign a short-term deal with PBC and Showtime to make the fight happen. Haney did do this once before, but it was for all the belts at lightweight. Still, Haney could fight Romero and then work his way into a fight with Gervonta Davis or Subriel Matias in the event he resigns.
