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Mike CoppingerESPN
LAS VEGAS – Facing his fiercest competition yet, Devin Haney has entered adulthood in the best form of his career.
Haney, 23, retained her WBC lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Joseph Diaz Jr., on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Haney beat the judges (117-111, 116-112 and 117-111) with superior performance, a sharp jab and clean punch. Most of all, Haney decides speed. He repeatedly beats Diaz with punches, and when he is pressed against the ropes, he often turns away from danger and attacks.
But Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) didn’t come out victorious after he jumped out of the command post. He was forced through some challenging moments, especially in the final round after Diaz (32-2-1, 15 KOs) connected on an overkill bundle he uploaded.
Many of those photos hit the benchmarks, but Haney stood her ground. He can shoot one shot from the left to the body, then from the right hand to the head making Diaz inevitable. The result was another interesting fight for Haney following criticism earlier in his career that he played it too safely in the ring.
“He said he was going to take the dog away from me, and that’s exactly what he did,” said Haney, a Las Vegas resident. “He hit me with some good shots. They said I didn’t have a chin, but I think I showed it in this game.”
Haney’s punch resistance was called into question after his final performance, a May win over Jorge Linares. Haney struggled towards the end of Round 10 that night and was forced through the championship rounds.
On Saturday, Haney was again in danger late in the game but claimed he was never injured.
“We had some great exchanges,” Haney said. “I don’t mind talking to him. I want to please the fans.”
Haney has accomplished that goal and is one step closer to his ultimate mission: the undisputed lightweight championship.
George Kambosos Jr., who let Teofimo Lopez down a week ago in New York, was in Las Vegas looking for his potential next nemesis.
“I have seen many things,” said Kambosos, who owns four £135 titles. “I’ve been studying this guy for years. I know exactly what to do if the next battle comes.”
Kambosos, 28, also mentioned other potential competitors and said he was looking forward to seeing Sunday’s lightweight contest between Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz in Los Angeles, followed by Vasiliy Lomachenko’s clash- Richard Commey next Saturday in New York.
“That’s what excites me the most,” he said.
Whoever Kambosos chooses, he makes one aspect clear: The fight will take place in his hometown, Australia.
“I’ll go to Jupiter if I have to,” Haney said. “Come on, George Kambosos, do it for all the belts. [champion]. Let’s do that next. There is no debate about who is the WBC champion. “
