WBC lightweight title holder Devin Haney and contender Luke Campbell have traded shots on social media.
The 22-year-old Haney won his most meaningful encounter to date with an entertaining points win over three-weight champion Jorge Linares at the weekend, but was buzzed at the end of the 10th round by a wicked left hand.
Rival Ryan Garcia, currently on a mental health sabbatical, later weighed in on social media, claiming he would have KOed Haney in the same situation: “I would have slept you,” chimed Californian Garcia.
Haney bristled at that comment on Tuesday night, countering: “…if Luke Campbell dropped you what would have Linares done to you?” – referencing the knockdown Garcia suffered against the Englishman in their WBC Interim title bout in January.
Naturally, Campbell took exception to Haney’s statement. “Congrats on your win lad but FYI the shot I dropped Ryan with would have slept you and Linares is now three years past his best,” tweeted the Hull man.
“Calm down Luke the fluke you’ve never won a big fight in your life… tell me one person that you beat??” responded Haney.
Campbell parried that blow by referencing Haney’s award of the WBC title via email from the Mexican sanctioning body.
“Have had some big fight fights and winning the Olympics was a decent buzz..nothing like that feeling when a new email hits the inbox eh. Enjoy the victory champ,” added two-time world title challenger Campbell.
But Haney ended the flurry on a more conciliatory note. “I respect Luke as being a warrior in the ring, I would never take that away from him… but at the end of the day in any of his big fights he’s never pulled off the victory.”
Haney vs Campbell, of course, is an easy fight to make with both men promoted by Matchroom Boxing. The WBC title holder is angling for a clash with undisputed champion Teofimo Lopez later in 2021.