DEVIN HANEY is in London this week hoping to strike a deal with Turki Alalshikh as he aims for a ring return in March.
The former undisputed lightweight champion and WBC super lightweight title holder looked set for a fight on March 25 which was to be screened live by BLK Prime. However, this may not be set in stone as first thought.
Speaking to Boxing News after an open workout at the Peacock Gym Haney said, “I’m here to meet with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh to see if we can make something happen.
“I got an offer from BLK Prime to do a fight in March and it’s possible but I’m here for a reason to try and make a deal. We’ll see if we can put something together.”
Haney, 31-0 (15 KOs), has not fought since April 2024 when ‘The Dream’ squared off against Ryan Garcia at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn. Garcia dropped Haney three times on his way to a majority decision win. However that result was overturned after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance resulting in a fine and suspension which runs until April 20, 2025.
Talk of a rematch has never gone away and while Haney welcomes a return bout he says Garcia must prove himself to be a clean athlete.
“That’s the only way that a rematch could happen,” Haney said. “That’s a fight I would love to make in 2025. Maybe we can make it but I just want it to be on an even playing field.”
One man who continues to be linked with a plethora of fights is Teofimo Lopez. The WBO Super Lightweight champion’s promoter Top Rank hoped to pair him with former IBF champion Subriel Matias but that appears to be now off the table after Tuesday’s deadline passed.
Haney told Boxing News that Alalshikh had sent an offer to Lopez to fight Haney.
“It was a good offer, he turned it down. It was far more than the offer he proposed.”
Such was the money on offer Haney now believes Lopez does not want to fight him.
“It made all the sense in the world,” Haney said.
