sport news Devin Haney insists win over George Kambosos Jr must earn him spot in ... trends now
In his bid to become the undisputed lightweight champion of the world a cool, calm and collected Devin Haney has shrugged off a number of setbacks and kept his eyes firmly on the prize.
On Saturday night the American, 27-0 (15 KOs), will exchange fists with George Kambosos Jr in a fascinating scrap for all four of the recognised titles at 135lbs. Though while currently in possession of just one, as the B-side he must enter the lion's den to do so.
Five months shy of his 24th birthday, Haney will encounter a boisterous atmosphere as he steps out in front of 53,000 baying fans at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia - Kambosos' native land.
Devin Haney has made several compromises to secure a showdown with George Kambosos Jr
Haney and Kambosos are set to scrap it out in Australia for the undisputed lightweight crown
But conceding home advantage was not the only sacrifice he made to secure this date of destiny. More still, for the most crucial outing of his career so far Haney will be without father and lead trainer Bill, who is barred from entering the country due to a drug conviction from 1992.
After leaving promoter Eddie Hearn and joining forces with Top Rank to make it happen, he also claims to be in for a meager payday despite the seismic occasion, recently telling FightHype: 'I'm taking a lot less money than what I should be making. It's about my name being in the history books.'
Such obstacles would have floored most 23-year-olds on their hopeful path to sporting stardom. Haney, though, remains unfazed by the task ahead.
'It's business as usual,' he said last week. 'This will be [fight] No 28 for me and it's no different than the rest.
'I'm mentally prepared in the same way and I'm ready to go by any means necessary. We gotta do what we gotta do by any means.
'It is what it is, he [dad] can't fight for me. I understand that, I know that, so when we get in the ring it's just me and George.
But as the B-side Haney will be stepping out on away turf at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium
He will also be without father and lead trainer Bill (left) who is not allowed into the country
For the 23-year-old, though, these numerous setbacks have not damaged his confidence
'My coach can say what he wants to say, his coach can say what he wants to say, but we gotta go in there and we're the ones fighting.
'So it is what it is, if he can't make it then he can't make it. But if he can, I would love for that to happen.'
Bill was formally denied a Visa to enter Australia last Friday, ending any slim hopes of a last-minute arrival in Melbourne. Replacing him in the corner will be Yoel Judah, father of two-weight world champion Zab.
Fortunately for Haney the 65-year-old is not an unfamiliar face, as he added: 'Yoel was training me when I was a young kid and we worked a few times before the camp had started, then the camp started and it played out like this so we started working.
'The chemistry picked up where it left off and I'm ready to go, I cannot wait. I feel strong, I feel ready and I cannot wait to show it on June 4.'
He has already enjoyed 27 professional contests and 162 rounds at such a tender age, yet there is still an element of the unknown with Haney. Saturday's tilt at lightweight supremacy is his biggest leap yet and whether he sinks or swims remains to be seen.
The California kid attained his world title in questionable fashion, too. While ranked as the WBC's No 1 ranked contender, Haney was elevated to champion without fighting in the ring when Vasily Lomachenko received the sanctioning body's controversial franchise belt in 2019 - another wishy-washy accolade handed exclusively to 'elite' champions.
Haney has already enjoyed 27 contests but there is still an element of the unknown with him
He also gained his WBC title in controversial fashion when he was elevated to champion
Winning a title in this manner ensured a fair amount of ridicule would come his way. Kambosos,
