Devin Haney-Sandor Martin Mandatory Title Fight Ordered By WBC
Devin Haney will move on to his next fight while his previous opponent still awaits his fate.
The two-division and reigning WBC 140-pound titlist was ordered to next face mandatory challenger Sandor Martin. A 30-day negotiation period was assigned to the two parties, who cannot commit to any other fight during such time.
Haney (31-1, 15 knockouts), currently rated No. 1 at 140 by The Ring, is self-promoted. Spain’s Martin (42-3, 15 KOs), No. 9 at 140, is co-promoted by Top Rank and OPI Since 82.
Mundo Deportivo was first to report the development.
News of the fight provides clarity for Haney (31-1, 15 knockouts), who is coming off the lone loss of his career. Haney suffered three knockdowns in a twelve-round, majority decision defeat to Ryan Garcia on April 20 in Brooklyn, New York.
The high-profile fight has dominated the headlines, though for all the wrong reasons.
Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) badly blew weight, which allowed Haney to retain his WBC title even in defeat. Garcia is now the subject of a drug testing investigation after he tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine. A May 22 test is scheduled to unseal and analyze Garcia’s “B” sample.
Meanwhile, Haney can move on from any talk of a rematch and focus on an actual title defense.
Martin has not fought since signing a co-promotional deal with Top Rank earlier this year. The intention was always to wait out Haney-Garcia and then challenge for the title.
“Devin Haney calls himself ‘The Dream,’ but I am his worst nightmare,” Martin said in January. “I will be the next WBC junior welterweight world champion. Whether he wants to lose his title to me in the ring or run up the scales to welterweight, the choice is his.
“I am excited for the next chapter of my career with OPI Since 82 and Top Rank in my corner.”
Haney was The Ring and undisputed lightweight champion before he moved up in weight. A homecoming bout was afforded the 25-year-old star, who dethroned Regis Prograis last December 9 in San Francisco, California. Haney won every round to claim the WBC 140-pound title.
The win was the seventh in a row over a former or current titleholder for Haney.
Martin will enter his first career title fight.
The 30-year-old southpaw has indirect experience at the title level. His best win to date remains an October 2021 ten-round decision over former four-division titlist Mikey Garcia.
The same should have been said of his Dec. 2022 bout versus Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Lopez escaped with a split decision, though many observers felt Martin deserved to get the nod.
Lopez went on to dethrone Josh Taylor last June to become a two-division Ring champion. He still holds The Ring 140-pound crown, along with the WBO title.
Just two fights have come for Martin since that night, both on club level shows last year in Italy.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for The Ring and vice president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
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