Undefeated Lightweight Champion Devin Haney To Relinquish Titles Ahead Of Junior Welterweight Bout

SAN FRANCISCO — Prior to his junior welterweight championship bout against Regis Prograis on December 9 in San Francisco, USA, undefeated lightweight champion Devin Haney will relinquish all four of his titles.

Devin Haney, 25, held onto his 135-pound titles from the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO after defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko by majority decision in May.

Before that, in a June 2022 bout for the undisputed title in Australia, Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) from California, U.S defeated George Kambosos. Haney then traveled to his opponent’s home country for a rematch, which he won in an equally dominant manner.

“I did everything at 135 that I could. The biggest fight for me was making that Gervonta Davis fight, and his side showed no interest in making the fight. I’ve outgrown the division, so now I make my quest to 140 to become a two-division champion,” said Haney in media reports.

Shakur Stevenson will now hold the WBC lightweight title since he defeated Edwin De Los Santos earlier this month. The WBC had previously designated Haney the champion in recess. 

Since Davis is now the WBA’s secondary champion, he will probably be regarded as the winner.

Kambosos and Lomachenko, the two best fighters in the organization, are anticipated to fight for the vacant IBF title. There are extensive talks between the two for a battle that may happen in Australia in April.

There is less clarity in the WBO title image. The top contender, Lomachenko, doesn’t seem to be in the mix. Denys Berinchyk and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz would then compete for the open belt.

After just one fight at 140 pounds, Haney stated he is serious about his intention to fight at 147 pounds.

It’s not a simple task though. Regis Prograis (29-1, 24 KOs), from Louisiana, U.S weighing 140 pounds, is ranked No. 3 and is a highly regarded power puncher. In 2019, Josh Taylor, the former undisputed champion, defeated Prograis, 34, in his only professional match by majority decision.

“I made history in becoming undisputed, and that was a milestone for me. But now I’m at the point in my career where I want to make the biggest and the best fights happening in the world. I’m a pay-per-view fighter,” said Haney.