Devin Haney may be able to avoid the IBF’s 10-pound rehydration limit if his fight against IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro is rescheduled for December 7.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Haney’s status as WBC “Champion in Recess” means that a fight against IBF titleholder Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) without 10-pound rehydration would be tantamount to a “unification.”
Champion-in-Recess status: A way out?
Without this loophole, it would be virtually impossible for Haney to meet the IBF’s 10-pound rehydration rule, since after weighing in at 140 pounds, he rehydrates to about 160 pounds.
That’s an absurdly high weight for a fighter in any division to rehydrate at, and so Haney must circumvent the IBF’s 10-pound rehydration rule.
There is no way in the world that Devin could go overnight without fluids after the Friday weigh-in and not weigh more than 150 pounds on fight morning. He would be risking his health if he tried that.
Haney would look sickly if he had to withhold his full hydration after the weigh-in. True light welterweights like Paro would have no problem with the IBF’s 10-pound rehydration, but not guys like Haney, who should be fighting at light middleweight.
The amount of weight Haney is putting on after the weigh-in, he should be able to compete with 154-pounders like Sebastian Fundora, Vergil Ortiz and Terence Crawford. It’s understandable why Haney chooses not to compete in that division, because life would be tough for him if he fought these killers.
“Devin believes he can win this fight. He’s on a break from the WBO right now, so it’s about unifying/reclaiming a title,” Eddie Hearn told Boxingscene.
Unification or not?
The WBC has already elevated Alberto Puello to the throne of champion in 140-pound boxing, and since Haney is the “champion in recess,” this may not count as a unification fight.
You have to own the full title for it to be considered a unification. The “Champion in Recess” tag simply means that a former champion can return at some point and immediately challenge the existing WBC champion for his old belt. It does not mean that he can use the WBC Champion in Recess for unification fights against other champions. If the WBC allows that, they would have essentially created another title.
If Haney can get around the IBF’s rehydration rule for the Paro fight, he’ll be in good shape to potentially dethrone the new 140-pound champion. Paro is still a dangerous fight for Haney because this guy can punch with either hand and he has the southpaw style that could potentially give Haney problems.
