Devin Haney next fight: Ranking most likely opponents for undisputed lightweight boxing champion

Devin Haney is considered the most wanted man in boxing. The undisputed lightweight champion, everyone wants a piece of the California-born star as his status in boxing has meant he has a big target on his back.

Haney last fought in May, defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko by a narrow, unanimous points vote. The busy fighter continued to prove his worth by taking on some of the sport’s finest.

The question everyone is asking is simple: who’s next for Haney?

The 24-year-old has options from fighting within his division to moving weights. Obstacles may stand in his way, from the wallet to politics in sports. Something else that could concern him is a court date in August after he was charged with the crime of carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle. The results of this hearing will no doubt play a role in planning Haney’s future in the ring.

MORE: The latest on Devin Haney’s arrest

Legal factors aside, The Sporting News examines some of Haney’s most likely dance partners.

Devin Haney’s next fight: Most Likely Opponents Ranking

Teofimo Lopez

• Age: 25
• Record: 19-1 with 13 wins by knockout
• Current Title: WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles

After Teofimo Lopez returned after a short “retirement”, a clash with Haney is possible. Current WBO and The Ring super-lightweight champion Lopez appears to be on a collision course with Haney after lashing out at the other on social media multiple times.

Haney expressed his desire to compete at 140 pounds. As the undisputed world lightweight champion, he could have been fighting for the WBO title right away. Lopez called out Haney after announcing he was back and ready to show he was the future of boxing and not Haney.

“I came out of retirement (I guess) because the next step for Devin Haney was to fight Arnold Barboza for my WBO championship at 140lbs. F’ that. I’m tired of helping this kid become something it’s not. And that is a real champion!”

A former IBF, WBA, and WBO lightweight champion, Lopez has bested the likes of Richard Commey and Lomachenko. “The Takeover” seems motivated in his new division and may be able to convince Haney to step up and compete against him.

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At this point, this fight seems like the most likely option.

Shakur Stevenson

• Age: 26
• Record: 20-1 with ten wins by knockout
• Current Title: N / A

Two dynamic fighters, the idea of ​​Haney vs. Shakur Stevenson will make fight fans chuckle. Can the two strike a deal, or will negotiations over their wallets affect a dispute?

Stevenson, a former WBO featherweight champion and WBO and WBC super featherweight champion, expressed his desire to move to lightweight after losing weight to Robson Conceicao in September 2022. Haney isn’t afraid to take on the best, but the two are at a standstill.

As far as the wallet goes, Stevenson is aiming for a 50/50 fight. He turned down an offer that would result in a 25% prize. There has been debate ever since as to what both should accept, considering Haney had accepted a low offer to fight George Kambosos Jr in Australia for lightweight gold.

“No, I’m not going off taking 25%, but you already knew that. Lil bruh, be realistic.”

Since then, Stevenson has kept telling Haney about “signing the contract” wherever they are.

If the two fought it would be a very scientific fight as both are elite boxers. It would be a tough fight if Haney stays at lightweight.

Gervonta Davis

• Age: 28
• Record: 29-0 with 27 wins by knockout
• Current Title: WBA (regular) lightweight title

If Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia was a dream fight for boxing fans, Davis vs. Haney might top it. Davis, the defending WBA (Regular) lightweight champion, is recognized as champion, but Haney holds all legitimate belts in the division. A fight to prove who’s king of the division could lead to a fight for the ages.

Speaking to The Sporting News, Haney knew the winner would be crowned the next big thing in boxing, but he’s not worried.

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“You have to go through me,” Haney said. “But at the end of the day, I know these fights will eventually happen. It’s just part of the fighting game. Whether Ryan wins or Tank wins, at some point they’re going to need another opponent to fight, so it’s part of boxing.”

Davis has just been released from prison after being involved in a hit-and-run accident. He also works with PBC, even while away from Mayweather Promotions. Haney recently worked with Top Rank but is a free agent. Could both work together to trigger a fight?

This all depends on what weight class Haney wants to fight in and whether both men can be civil.

Rematch of Vasily Lomachenko

• Age: 35
• Record: 17-3 with 11 wins by knockout
• Current Title: N / A

In Haney’s biggest test yet, he defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko, former WBA, WBO and The Ring Lightweight Champion. In the May fight, Haney landed 110 of 405 punches (27.2%) while Lomachenko landed 124 of 564 (22%). The judges scored the contest 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 for Haney, with the result deemed controversial.

The result and the champion’s skills were questioned on social media by ardent fans. Many called for a rematch. Haney is open to the idea if it makes sense.

“I never said I wouldn’t fight him again – my dad said I wouldn’t fight him again,” Haney told The Danza Project on Boxing Social. “I never said if I would do it or not. I will fight anyone if it makes sense and everything fits. I will fight anyone and I’ve been saying that for ages.

“I know if I hit someone once, I can hit them twice. It’s never about not fighting him again, it just has to make sense. Nothing that makes sense has popped up on my desk at the moment. But if so, then it does.”

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Given the list of opponents Haney faces and the possibility of moving up in weight, a rematch looks less likely.

Regis Prograis

• Age: 34
• Record: 29-1 with 24 wins by knockout
• Current Title: N / A

While Haney vs. Regis Prograis is a fight that fans might not be interested in, at least compared to the other options, it does have some appeal. That is, according to Eddie Hearn.

Prograis, a former WBA super lightweight champion, is on a five-fight win streak. He defeated Jose Zepeda in 2022 to win the WBC title, beating Danielito Zorrilla in June to retain the belt.

Hearn told IFL TV he spoke to Team Haney about a fight. If he doesn’t face Ryan Garcia, Prograis could well face Haney.

“We made Devin and Bill Haney an offer. I think we’re on the verge of that fight. I spoke to Devin tonight, I’ll see him in Los Angeles this week,” Hearn said on Boxing Social. “Ryan Garcia has now tried to fight Regis Prograis but Jack Catterall wants it. Regis Progrias is in a great position right now, probably due to an underperformance.

“Devin wants this fight, it’s a massive fight for DAZN. Ryan Garcia wants the fight, we’ll talk to his team, we haven’t done that yet but we’ll see what happens.”