Devin Haney, the WBC light welterweight champion, expressed his disappointment with Matchroom Boxing for not participating in the bidding process for his upcoming title defense against mandatory challenger Sandor Martin. Haney was shocked to learn that Top Rank was the sole bidder with a low-ball offer of $2.42 million. Matchroom’s decision to stay away from the fight was seen as a smart move, as the match-up was deemed to have low ratings potential and not worthy of a pay-per-view event. Haney had hoped that Matchroom would show interest in his fight with Sandor Martin and invest millions into it, but it seems they were not willing to take that risk.
Top Rank’s Plan and Eddie Hearn’s Opinion
According to Top Rank’s Carl Moretti, the plan is to stage the fight in early fall, despite the lack of interest from other promoters. Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing, expressed his dislike for the fight and chose not to bid on it. Sandor Martin, Haney’s mandatory challenger, is relatively unknown in the U.S and his style is not considered to be exciting by many. This could be the reason why Matchroom and other promoters decided to pass on the opportunity to bid for the fight. Haney expressed his frustration with the lack of interest from other promoters, including his own promotional company, Devin Haney Promotions. Many in the boxing world believe that Haney should vacate his WBC title and move up to 147, where he can make weight more easily.
Challenges Ahead for Devin Haney
Devin Haney’s upcoming title defense against Sandor Martin poses several challenges for the champion. With a low-ball bid from Top Rank and lack of interest from other promoters, Haney will have to prove himself in the ring against a relatively unknown opponent. Moreover, the possibility of moving up to 147 presents its own set of challenges, as Haney will have to adjust to a new weight class and face tougher competition. The criticism from Eddie Hearn and others in the boxing community has put additional pressure on Haney to perform at his best and silence his doubters.
Devin Haney’s frustration with the low-ball bid by Top Rank and the lack of interest from other promoters highlights the challenges that he faces as a champion. Moving forward, Haney will need to focus on his upcoming fight against Sandor Martin and prove that he is deserving of his title. The decision to potentially move up to 147 adds another layer of complexity to his career, but Haney remains determined to succeed in the highly competitive world of boxing.