Oscar De La Hoya has predicted his winner for the upcoming showdown between Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney.
It has now been reported that a bout between reigning WBO super-lightweight champion Lopez and two-weight world champion Haney has been signed and will take place on Saturday August 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Both fighters made their respective returns to the ring on the same card at Times Square in New York City last month. Lopez made a successful defence of his WBO title against mandatory challenger Arnold Barboza Jr, whilst Haney got the better of former unified super-lightweight champion Jose Ramirez.
The fight itself is expected to be at a catchweight of around 145lbs, rather than it be contested for Lopez’s WBO title which the 27-year-old captured from former undisputed champion Josh Taylor two years ago.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, De La Hoya admitted that he believes Lopez vs Haney has the potential to be a ‘great fight’, but claimed that Haney must alter his fighting style to make it more of a fan friendly bout.
“We all know how it’s going to look. I think Devin’s going to obviously get on his bike, unless he doesn’t because Devin has a style that can walk you down and chop you down and knock you down, so I don’t know why he runs so much.
I can understand Ramirez chasing him around the ring, after the year’s lay off and getting obviously knocked down by Ryan and you know maybe not being confident with his chin.
He has the ability to fight like a Mayweather, stay there in front, angles, side to side, he’s special, he’s got talent but he has to stop running, people don’t like that, Devin vs Teo is a great fight. but not if Devin runs.”
Haney was expected to face Ryan Garcia in a rematch later this year, but these plans have now been squandered after Garcia suffered a shock defeat to Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero on May 2.
