Not Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, Teofimo Lopez Jr. Is the Next Fight for Devin Haney if He Beats Ryan Garcia: Bill Haney

Whatever is said and done, no one can deny one thing. Where Devin Haney stands today in boxing is largely because of the role his father, Bill Haney, played in his life. His son is preparing himself for what could be the biggest test of his professional career. But Haney Sr., it seems, has already chalked out, at least in his mind, the most prudent course of action that will take his champion son to the heights of boxing.

Of course, to a large extent, it depends on what Devin Haney delivers on Saturday night. Ryan Garcia might have lost a battle—his only one—to Gervonta Davis (now Abdul Wahid). However, by any stretch of imagination, that doesn’t turn him into a pushover. Lest no one forget, the amateur record between Haney and Garcia splits equally. So, what’s Bill Haney thinking? His laser focus has a name in the crosshair to be taken off. The rest will follow thereafter.

Bill Haney: first, ‘The Takeover’ then the rest for Devin Haney

Speaking about Devin Haney’s ambitions to become an undisputed champion in a second weight class, a reporter from Fight Hype checked whether Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz could be next in line after Ryan Garcia. “Does a I mean obviously, your son wants to become undisputed now at 140 lbs.? If you could like, um, if you could map it out, how would you want to like map it out in terms of, like, would you want like a Pitbull Cruz next for WB, um, for WBA, would you want the IBF? …” the Fight Hype reporter asked.

However, the entire Team Haney is in New York, the birthplace of another light welterweight champion. Bill Haney replied that it would be rude of him if he didn’t call out the father-son duo of Teofimo Lopez Sr. and his son, the WBO title holder Teofimo Lopez Jr., while in the ‘Big Apple’.

He said, “I can’t come to New York City and not call Teofimo Senior and Teofimo Junior stay busy fights; they’re the next fight ain’t nothing but staying busy for Devin and his quest to be on the Mount Rushmore boxing. I would be remiss and disrespectful if I didn’t put Teofimo Jr. at the top of the list next fight in New York. Did I say the right thing, okay?”

It will not be the first time Bill Haney has highlighted how the Teofimo Lopez fight measures up for Devin Haney.

Haney Senior in a tight corner

In fact, in January, confusion over the fight with Ryan Garcia persisted. He had been changing his stance over the potential opponent. Understandably, Team Haney must have been on the lookout for the next alternative. One of the strongest to emerge was Teofimo Lopez.

But there were hopes of a fight with Lopez dashed. It became clear that ‘The Takeover’ would rather defend his title from Jamaine Ortiz. Speaking to the media, Bill Haney highlighted how the match-up only added to the dilemma. The Worcester, Massachusetts-born boxer had apparently been receiving his training from Bill Haney! Just imagine. What would have happened had Ortiz, instead of Lopez, won the bout on February 8?

What if the fight between Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez makes it through? For sure, it will join the big payday queue. Given the profile of both boxers, their past, and their inability to meet up during the lightweight days, all make up for a momentous thriller. Devin Haney, against either Isaac Cruz or Subriel Matias, more than compensates for a good fight. But a duel with ‘The Takeover’ has an all-together different flavor.

Do you agree with Bill Haney’s plan for his star son? Or do you deem another fighter to be the right match?