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Devin Haney hints at ring return on the way to Riyadh

Devin Haney hints at ring return on the way to Riyadh
Posted on | Posted on Theodore

Devin Haney told His Excellency Turki Alalshikh at X that he was interested in returning to the ring after a short break.

Turki told former two-weight world champion Haney: “I’m waiting for you in Riyadh.”

If Haney returns to the ring by October, he would be an ideal candidate for the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While it wouldn’t be the main event slot for Haney (31-0, 15 KOs), it would still be an excellent opportunity for him to be featured on that prestigious card, especially if he is placed in the co-feature position.

The 140-pound range is getting bigger

It is believed that Haney will need a refresher for his next fight and will familiarize himself with 147 pounds, as he has outgrown the 140-pound class. He looked very gaunt and skeletal making the weight for his last two fights at light welterweight against Ryan Garcia and Regis Prograis.

There was a report that Haney had rehydrated to 165 pounds for the Prograis fight, an absurd number for a fighter competing in the 140-pound class.

Haney posted on X that the “game hasn’t been the same” since his last fight against Ryan Garcia on April 20. He lost that fight, but the New York State Athletic Commission overturned the loss and changed it to a no-contest because Ryan tested positive for a banned substance.

Striving for mega-wealth

Haney says he wants to be one of the sport’s mega-rich fighters, and his father, Bill Haney, talks about playing in the beautiful The Hamptons on Long Island, where Billionaire’s Lane is located.

For Haney, living in a wealthy area like the Hamptons or Beverly Hills Gatewayhe will have to change his fighting style and return to the pure boxing style with which he defeated Regis Prograis in 2023. Haney lacks the strength or chin to fight with his opponents as he tried to do against Ryan Garcia last April.

When Haney moves up to 147, he’ll need to focus on starting from the bottom against non-punchers before facing one of the heavy hitters like Brian Norman Jr. or Jaron “Boots” Ennis. We don’t know if Haney’s punch resistance was affected by his fight with Ryan, in which he was knocked down six times, with the referee counting just three.

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