Gamboa Didn’t Fight With the Same Kind of Confidence – Eddie Hearn Defends Devin Haney

Devin Haney put up an incredible performance over boxing veteran and former unified lightweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in his second successful title defense. The 21-year-old boxer dominated Gamboa for the better part of the entire bout and sent a statement to the lightweight division. However, the performance was met with large skepticism. This included Matchroom Boxing MD Eddie Hearn.

Hearn said, “I spoke to Devin last night, and it’s like when you want to give the hype, make a statement…You want to beat him up worse than Gervonta did. I mean let’s be honest here, anyone that knows boxing knows that Gamboa didn’t fight with the same kind of confidence that he did against Gervonta Davis. I am not saying he was fearful of Devin Haney.”

Eddie Hearn spoke about Haney vs Gamboa in conversation with Boxing Social. Hearn claimed that Gamboa did not show up against Haney and added that the former champion’s defensive approach may have denied Haney a stoppage win.

“I am just saying he took a lot more chances in the fight. After two or three rounds of fighting, Devin Haney, he went back into his shell. He came to survive and anyone knows it’s very difficult to get someone out there if they are trying to survive. Devin never stopped trying to get out and get him out there.” 

The 21-year-old undefeated boxer and the current WBC lightweight champion had a lot to prove going into the Gamboa bout. The Cuban boxer was coming off a TKO loss over Gervonta Davis.

Needless to say, Haney had the pressure of sending a statement to the lightweight division with a stoppage win. However, he failed to accomplish the task. Nevertheless, it was one of the most dominant performances any boxer has ever put up against a seasoned veteran like Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Eddie Hearn claims WBC has been unfair to Devin Haney

The Eraser has called out the likes of Teofimo Lopez and Gervonta Davis in the past. Drawing parallels to Haney’s performance against Gamboa over Tank Davis, here’s what Hearn had to say.

“It was explosive and ferocious. As we would have liked? Probably not. But he schooled Gamboa. He’s 21 years old, he’s 24-0, and I think, sometimes I feel like the whole WBC situation has been a bit unfair on Devin Haney. I think people are quick to criticize.”

“I think if Ryan Garcia had gone in there and schooled Gamboa like that with that kind of boxing performance, I think everybody would have been raving right? But you are coming off the back of a great knockout from Gervonta and a great performance from Teofimo. So, you know, I am very pleased with the development of Devin Haney.”

It’s hard not to agree with Hearn. The lightweight division has been quite active this year. The Takeover upset Vasyl Lomachenko to become the unified lightweight champion. On the other side, Tank Davis picked up a scintillating win over Leo Santa Cruz in possible a “Knockout of the Year” performance to grab the WBA (regular) lightweight title and the WBA (Super) super featherweight title.

What’s next for Haney?

Hearn claimed that Devin Haney is ready and could take on the best that the division has to offer going forward. Haney is the youngest world champion in the history of boxing. Needless to say, he is one of the brightest prospects of the sport. Earlier, he had called out Teofimo Lopez and claimed that he is not the undisputed champion courtesy of the WBC strap wrapped around his waist.

Only time will tell what lies ahead for the American boxer. Be that as it may, the lightweight division looks stacked. Expect some fireworks in the near future.