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Devin Haney v Jorge Linares Predictions & Tips
Devin Haney is one special fighter – let’s just get that out there. He is unbeaten after 25 fights with 15 wins by knockout and the other 10 by decision. He was crowned WBC interim lightweight champion in 2019 when he forced Zaur Abdullaev to retire in the fourth round.
He was then promoted to full champion after the previous champion Vasyl Lomachenko vacated the belt after being named WBC Franchise Champion. He has since defended that title twice with points decision wins over Alfredo Santiago and Yuriokis Gamboa.
Haney is only 22 years of age, and he will go onto have a long and successful career, but most fighters need to suffer at least one defeat in their career to achieve their overall greatness. I think Haney will taste defeat for he first time in his career on May 29, but it will define him as a man and a fighter for the remainder of his career.
Why will Haney lose? Linares is on a different level to most fighters – in my opinion. His hand speed is crazy, he has been around long enough to know what is needed to tire out his opponents. Haney will throw a lot of punches, but you can’t win if they don’t land. Linares will bob and weave his way through this fight and will then pick off Haney with his quick-fire jabs.
It will be a thrilling fight, but I am backing the 35-year-old Venezuelan to turn back the clock and put in a stellar performance that once saw him beat the likes of Anthony Crolla (twice), Luke Campbell, Kevin Mitchell and Mercito Gesta.
Eighteen of Linares’ victories have come by way of decision, and I believe he will pick up number 19. I know a lot of experts are expecting Haney to dispose of Linares quite easily. I am not one of them, Linares is a big bout fighter, and he will rise to this occasion like he has done many times in the past.
Devin Haney v Jorge Linares: Fighter Predictions
Devin Haney: “I’m very excited to be making my third world title defence against a great fighter like Jorge Linares, who will be the best fighter I will have ever faced in my career. He’s a three-division world champion who has fought at the championship level for the past 13 years. I grew up watching Linares, and the fact that this fight is happening in Las Vegas is incredible. Boxing fans around the world are eager to see me step up in competition, which is great, and I know Linares is coming to fight. I’m ready to give the fans a spectacular performance. The better competition brings the best out of me. Against Linares, I’m going to show the world why I’m the king of the lightweight division. I’m very excited about this fight. Very few fights in the past that I actually felt a bit nervous for. This fight I feel nervous and excited for and I look forward to it. I feel like this is a fight that I really get to showcase everything in my arsenal. I look forward to it. I do think that Jorge is a better fighter than Yuriorkis Gamboa, I think he’s at a better point in his career than Gamboa, and this is a fight where they should give me all my credit.”
Jorge Linares: “This is my moment to show the world that I still have a lot more to give at 135 pounds. Devin Haney is a talented and quick-handed young man. But when I was his age, I had already become a world champion by snatching the [WBC featherweight] title from a real-world champion like Oscar Larios. And now you can imagine how much more experience I have now at an age where I feel stronger and better than ever. Without a doubt, it will be a tremendous fight, but I will demonstrate that Haney made a big mistake by accepting a challenge that he is still not ready to overcome.”
