Devin “The Dream” Haney

Devin Miles Haney is an American professional boxer born on November 17th, 1998 who has held the WBC lightweight title since 2019. 

As of June 2021, he is ranked as the world’s fourth-best active lightweight by The Ring magazine, Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and BoxRec and fifth by ESPN.

As an amateur, Haney won seven National titles. 

In January 2015, aged 17, he became the youngest boxer to win the Youth World Championships in Reno.

He had an amateur record of 138–8 bouts before turning professional in 2015 at the age of 17. 

Boxing Profile – Devin Haney – Professional Career

Debut and First Fights in his career:

Haney turned pro at the age of 17. But could not compete in the United States due to the minimum age regulation; so his first four fights were in Mexico. 

At the regional level, he won the WBC Youth, IBF-USBA, IBF North American, WBC International, WBO Inter-Continental, and the WBA International lightweight titles as a professional.

On January 11, 2019, Haney dominated a very tough opponent in Xolisani Ndongeni on the way to a 10-round unanimous decision win.

In April 2019, Haney signed a co-promotional deal between his own company, Devin Haney Promotions, and British promoter Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

On May 25, 2019, Haney defeated Antonio Moran via a vicious seventh-round knockout. This was in his first match under the Matchroom banner.

On September 13, 2019, Haney defeated Zaur Abdullaev to win the vacant WBC interim lightweight title.

WBC Lightweight champion:

In October 2019, Haney became the youngest world champion in boxing when he was elevated as the WBC lightweight champion. This after previous WBC lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko was promoted to “Franchise Champion” by the WBC.

Haney vs. Santiago

On the undercard of KSI vs. Logan Paul II in November 2019; Haney made his first title defense against Alfredo Santiago, and won by unanimous decision. 

He injured his shoulder during the fight, requiring surgery that would keep him out until the summer of 2020.

He maintained the title “champion in recess.”

Haney vs. Gamboa

Haney made the second defense of his WBC lightweight title against former unified featherweight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa on November 7, 2020. 

He won by unanimous decision with scores of 120–107, 120–107, and 118–109.

Haney vs. Linares

Seen by many as Haney’s toughest test of his career so far, Haney made the third defense of his WBC lightweight title against former three-weight world champion Jorge Linares on May 29, 2021.

He won by unanimous decision with the judges scoring the bout 116–112, 116–112, 115–113 in his favor.

Haney controlled the action for most of the fight. However, Linares caught him with a powerful right-left combination toward the end of the tenth round. 

Haney survived the final two rounds largely by tying Linares up and negating his opponent’s attempts at trying to engage with him. 

The crowd voiced their displeasure with what they perceived as excessive clinching by booing Haney when he jumped up on the ropes in celebration immediately after the final bell, as well as booing during the announcement of the official decision.