Via Chris Williams: Jermell Charlo took to Twitter last weekend to support undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney about his unhappiness at being dropped from Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list.
Devin, 23, wants to vacate his Ring Magazine lightweight title for being dropped from their panel balance sheet, but undisputed 154 lb champion Jermell says he should enjoy his title yourself and don’t worry about the opinions of others. In other words, keep the 135-lb Ring title.
Haney (28-0, 15 KOs) feels that he deserves a spot on the pound list following his win over George Kambosos Jr last June, which earned him the title. undisputed 135 lb.
Ring Magazine’s weighted list includes twice-defeated Canelo Alvarez, who is about to lose to Dmitry Bivol and Vasyl Lomachenko. He’s another boxer with two losses on his record, but he made Ring Magazine’s list but NOT the undefeated Haney.
Haney recently had an exchange with Ring Magazine’s Doug Fisher about his desire to give up his light title with their organization, and it’s unclear if he’ll continue with the vacancy.
– Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) August 27, 2022
It’s okay… DM address & I’ll send it to you https://t.co/LZmyqJ7V2r
– Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) August 26, 2022
Come get it https://t.co/GXIKiMTNKA
– Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) August 27, 2022
& to be clear… I’m not obligated to wear a ring magazine belt, if I had earned it I would have earned it instead of wearing it or not! So to claim it back just shows you never wanted me to have it in the first place!
– Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) August 26, 2022
Undisputed youngest champion of the 4 belt era… & not being on the 4 pound list is crazy, especially since guys who didn’t even hold the ring magazine belt are now shortlisted this…
– Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) August 25, 2022
If Haney goes on to win, he will eventually make it to Ring Magazine’s weight list, but he needs some of the bigger names to feature.
There’s nothing wrong with George Kambosos Jr, but many believe him to be a hit-and-miss wonder, a boxer who took advantage of an injured Teofimo Lopez to dethrone him with his four belts.
Haney needed to win against quality lightweight athletes in a tournament respected by boxing fans. If Haney beats these guys, he’ll make it to Ring Magazine’s weight list:
- Vasyl Lomachenko
- Gervonta Davis
- Isaac Cruz
- Ryan Garcia
- Jose Zepeda
- Jose Ramirez
- Teofimo Lopez
- Subriel Matias
- Shakur Stevenson
- Oscar Valdez
- Michel Rivera
Haney’s going to be around for a long time, so he shouldn’t worry about the pound-for-pound list at this point in his career. Only heavyweight boxing fans know the pound lists.
Average fans, pay-per-view buyers, have no clue about those listings and wouldn’t care if they were told about them. What Haney should focus on is beating the best competitors out there and letting organizations like Ring Magazine decide whether or not to include him.
