Devin Haney may have his next assignment set.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger, a bout between Haney and battle-tested veteran Jorge Linares is being targeted. Per the report, the two sides are “in talks” to meet on April 17 on DAZN.
The 22-year-old Haney is one of boxing’s brightest young stars and currently holds a version of the WBC’s Lightweight title. He won the sanctioning body’s interim 135-pound title with a stoppage victory over Zaur Abdullaev in 2019. He was then promoted when Vasiliy Lomachenko was elevated to “Franchise Champion”, which is a label now held by Teofimo Lopez.
Since his win over Adbullaev, Haney has earned back-to-back decision victories over Alfredo Santiago and veteran Yuriorkis Gamboa. A fight against Linares will likely represent the toughest test of the American’s career.
The 35-year-old Linares has held titles in three weight classes, including a reign as Lightweight champion. He owns notable victories over Anthony Crolla and Luke Campbell but surrendered his 135-pound titles in a TKO loss to Lomachenko in 2018.
Since then, “El Niño de Oro” has gone 3-1, picking up wins over Abner Cotto, Al Tyogon, and Carlos Morales. His only loss in that stretch came in an ill-advised move up to 140 pounds against Pablo Cesar Cano. He was stopped in just one round in their 2019 bout.
Linares was rumored to be in the running for a fight against another rising Lightweight in Ryan Garcia. He was then expected to take on Javier Fortuna, but that fight fell through after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Stay tuned to Round By Round Boxing as more news on a potential Haney vs. Linares bout unfolds.
