Devin Haney briefly suffered the first defeat of his career before it was overturned to a no-contest.
It came against Ryan Garcia, who had worried fans with antics in the build-up and came in overweight making him ineligible to win Haney’s WBC Super-Lightweight Title.
After a deal was made for the fight to go ahead regardless, Garcia upset the odds by knocking Haney down three times on the way to a majority decision win but was later suspended for one year after testing positive for a banned substance twice – once on the day before the fight and once on the day of.
Despite the disadvantages, Haney still faces a comeback in which he must exorcise any demons.
Speaking to Title Sports Network, former world champion turned analyst Tim Bradley said the 25-year-old should take a lower-level fight before looking to face WBO and Ring Magazine Champion Teofimo Lopez.
“If I was Devin, if I was part of his team, I would tell him to take on a top contender, a little less of a challenge, just to build some confidence back. Get back into the ring, see how he feels, see if anything’s different. I would take on a top 15 contender and get a win and then take on a big challenge. I wouldn’t mind seeing him and Teofimo Lopez.”
Asked for a prediction, Bradley said Lopez would be the favourite but not to count out Haney if he and his training team can make corrections from the Garcia fight.
“You gotta look at film. Obviously the favourite’s gonna be Teo cause he has the power and he does possess a left hook. Haney obviously couldn’t get away from Ryan Garcia’s left hook, so maybe he goes back to the drawing board and fixes that. I still think it’s a great fight, not only for the names but stylistically. Devin can box. He’s young and he can bounce back.”
Lopez has been toying with the idea of a move up in weight again so his next bout may be at welterweight. Meanwhile, Haney – who is now WBC Champion in Recess – is in advanced talks to return to Australia where he became undisputed at lightweight to face IBF 140 Champion Liam Paro.
