Former featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan has labelling an undefeated American as a ‘weight cheat’ after recent news broke of a huge gain between the weigh-in and fight night.
Devin Haney dominated Regis Prograis recently to claim the WBC super-lightweight title and become a two-division conqueror at just twenty-five-years-old.
‘The Dream’ made the decision to move up to 140lbs in recent months after well-documented difficulties making weight, and that decision paid dividends as Haney put together a career-best display, looking far more comfortable in his new division than he did at 135.
However, recently figures released showed that the newly-crowned champion piled on an extraordinary 25lbs between the weigh-in and his fight with Prograis, stepping through the ropes at a weight that would have been more suited to the super-middleweight division.
It’s no secret fighters rehydrate after hitting the scales, although this jump had fans wondering how the American ever made the lightweight limit.
Whilst the WBC don’t restrict any increase, the IBF have a second weigh-in on the morning of the fight to ensure the competitors haven’t put on more than 10lbs since the day prior.
On Twitter, McGuigan reacted to the news and branded Haney as a “weight cheat”.
“That’s what’s called a weight cheat. No surprises that he’s moving straight to Welterweight. As a matter of interest … what did Haney weigh on the second day weigh check? I know you said he weighted 10lbs heavier than Regis but what did he actually weigh??”
That’s what’s called a weight cheat. No surprises that he’s moving straight to Welterweight. As a matter of interest Randolph what did Haney weigh on the second day weigh check ? I know you said he weighted 10lbs heavier than Regis but what did he actually weigh ?? https://t.co/sacKHV5Oud
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) December 14, 2023
The big jump in bulk has thrown a potential fight with current lightweight superstar Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis into doubt.
Haney has declared that ‘Tank’ would need to come up to his new division with no rehydration clause in place if he wanted the fight, meaning there could be a huge disparity in their respective in-ring weights.
