Fighting primarily in Mexico to start his career, California-born Devin Haney knows a thing or two about competing outside of his comfort zone. When he is locked in, regardless of the location, he makes the unfamiliar familiar.
Haney was able to adapt the first time he fought George Kambosos Jr. in Melbourne back in June to become the undisputed lightweight champion. The 23-year-old came in to fight week without his father in his corner until the very last second. He also had to deal with he unknown of a different country. That did not stop Haney from focusing on the task at hand. As a result of his perfect performance, Haney decimated Kambosos in his backyard.
Haney faces Kambosos in a rematch on October 15 (Oct. 16 in Australia). The fight takes place inside Rod Laver Arena, again in Australia.
“The event was massive, much bigger than what I thought,” Haney told The Sporting News. “I’m looking forward to it again. Can’t wait! The atmosphere is going to be insane, it’s going to be electric. It’s going to be loud, a lot of cheering fans.”
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Haney started boxing at seven and turned pro just one month after his 17th birthday. As a pro, he competed in Tijuana in 2015, winning the WBC Youth lightweight title in 2017. Haney wouldn’t compete in his home of California until his 17th fight, beating Miguel Angel Perez Aispuro via knockout. Since then, he has moved out of the Mexico fight scene and has competed all over the United States.
In New York, Haney won the interim WBC lightweight title. Promoted to the regular champion, Haney defended the belts in California, Florida, and Las Vegas. Haney’s path to stardom is a result of taking risks. His unique boxing ability made him a danger to anyone, but he wasn’t getting the fights he was hoping for against Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, and other major stars.
Flying to Australia to take on Kambosos, taking less money, and accepting an automatic rematch clause was also a risk, but it was something he reveled in. The juice was worth the squeeze as he came out stronger than ever.
Haney became the undisputed lightweight champion by using his jab and outpointing Kambosos. The unanimous decision win was proof that Haney is the real deal. He will have another chance to prove that in the rematch. Haney believes he doesn’t need to worry about any hostile fans who may be mad he beat one of their own.
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“I never felt like I was flying into enemy territory,” Haney stated about fighting in Australia. “You know, it’s a fight where he has more fans. I don’t label it as enemy territory. With me being here one time, gaining a lot of fans, it’s definitely not enemy territory now.”
Although he is hoping to move on to a fight with Vasiliy Lomachenko, Davis, and Garcia, Haney is not taking Kambosos lightly. He believes he was somewhat content in the first bout and vows to be the opposite this time around.
If you ask Haney, he would say he still has a lot to prove and accomplish. While the stakes are a little higher in the Kambosos rematch, that is how Haney likes it. In what might be the biggest fight of his career to date, Haney is ready to put it all on the line, have fun, and gain a few more fans in Melbourne.