Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney has decided to vacate all four of his titles (WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO) at 135 pounds, as he prepares for his upcoming junior welterweight championship fight against Regis Prograis on December 9. This significant move comes after Haney’s successful defense against Vasiliy Lomachenko in May and dominant victories over George Kambosos in their two-fight series.
Haney, 25, expressed his sense of accomplishment at lightweight, mentioning his only unfulfilled goal was a bout with Gervonta Davis, which did not materialize. He now sets his sights on conquering the 140-pound division, hoping to become a two-division champion, with aspirations to eventually move up to the 147-pound category.
The WBC lightweight title will now go to Shakur Stevenson, following his recent win over Edwin De Los Santos. With Davis holding the WBA’s secondary title, he’s likely to be elevated to recognized champion. The IBF title, left vacant by Haney, could see a contest between Kambosos and Lomachenko, who are currently in advanced talks for a potential fight in Australia.
The WBO’s situation is less certain, with Lomachenko, the top contender, potentially out of the picture. This leaves Denys Berinchyk and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz as possible contenders for the now-vacant belt.
Haney, seen as a -400 favorite by ESPN BET, faces a formidable opponent in Prograis, known for his powerful punches. Prograis is ranked No. 3 by ESPN at 140 pounds, his only loss being a close decision to Josh Taylor. Haney, regarded as ESPN’s No. 7 pound-for-pound boxer, aims to establish himself as a pay-per-view fighter, seeking to create the biggest and most exciting fights in the boxing world. This transition marks a new chapter in his career, driven by ambition and the pursuit of greater challenges across weight divisions.
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