Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis are two of the top talents fighting out of the US, and a fight down the line is potentially one of the best the sport can offer.
Haney became undisputed at lightweight in 2022, and successfully – albeit closely – defended that crown against Vasily Lomachenko in May of this year.
He has since decided to try his hand at 140lbs having been tight at 135 for some time, and recently said that to make the ‘biggest fight in boxing’ with knockout artist ‘Tank’ Davis, it would need to be at the higher weight.
Speaking to Mill City Boxing, Coach Kenny Ellis said that Haney’s demand for the fight to be at super-light was ‘crazy’ – especially given the fact that he’s not shut the door on a move back down.
“I feel like people are trying to suck him away from 135 to protect certain people. We’ve got unfinished business at 135, you know what I mean?”
“If he can make 135, why can’t he fight Tank at 135? It’s crazy. He don’t have any more power at 140 – I don’t see it anyway. I watched him tap the bag the other day. Claressa Shields hit the bag harder than that.”
Regardless, Ellis feels that the mention of his fighter’s name is purely to drum up hype, and things will go quiet when the time to fight him comes around.
“They’ve got to mention Tank’s name to sell a fight, you know how it go. They won’t do that when they don’t have a fight signed – only when they’ve got a fight [already.]”
Haney faces Regis Prograis for his WBC 140 world title in December.
He still holds three of the four titles in the lightweight division, but he has been made Champion in Recess by the WBC. That means the vacant belt will be fought for by Shakur Stevenson and Edwin De Los Santos this month.
Should Stevenson win, Ellis wants that fight for his man before the Haney bout.
“I would prefer Shakur first, cause we at 135 … Tank and Shakur are the two top dogs at 135. Hoping Shakur gets past his next fight – that’s a tough one – but if Shakur don’t get past him we’ll fight him.”
Davis has ruled out fighting this year, meaning his victory over Ryan Garcia in April – followed by a stint in prison – will be the sole outing. He has promised fans they will see him return in early 2024.