In a surprising turn of events, Devin Haney, the WBC Super Lightweight World Champion, has requested to be placed in the status of Champion in Recess, according to a press statement released by the World Boxing Council. The decision was made by the WBC Board of Governors, who unanimously granted Haney’s request and declared him the WBC World Champion in Recess. This move comes after Haney’s recent controversial defeat to Ryan Garcia, where he suffered a decisive loss that raised questions about his future in the sport.
With Haney stepping away from the WBC’s junior welterweight belt, the WBC Board of Governors has named current Interim World Champion Alberto Puello as the new WBC World Super Lightweight Champion. As per the WBC’s Rules and Regulations, a mandatory title defense has been ordered for Champion Puello against WBC #1-rated challenger and mandatory contender Sandor Martin. This change in champions marks a significant shift in the super lightweight division and sets the stage for exciting new matchups in the future.
Devin Haney’s reign as the WBC junior welterweight king was short-lived, following his victory over Vasyl Lomachenko to claim the undisputed lightweight championship. Moving up to junior welterweight, Haney faced Regis Prograis for the WBC belt in a highly anticipated showdown. Despite delivering a dominant performance in his hometown of San Francisco, Haney’s fortunes took a turn for the worse in his bout against Ryan Garcia. The fight, marred by controversy due to Garcia’s weight issues and subsequent positive drug test results, ended in a decision loss for Haney.
As Devin Haney navigates the aftermath of his defeat to Ryan Garcia and his decision to step back as the WBC World Champion, questions loom over his future in the sport. While undeniably talented, Haney’s loss to Garcia has raised doubts about his ability to bounce back from adversity. The physical and emotional toll of a defeat of this magnitude cannot be understated, leaving Haney at a crossroads in his boxing career. However, the resilience of fighters in the face of setbacks is not to be underestimated, and Haney may yet make a triumphant return to the ring.
Devin Haney’s request to be placed as the Champion in Recess marks a pivotal moment in his career as the WBC Super Lightweight World Champion. The emergence of a new champion in Alberto Puello signals a changing of the guard in the super lightweight division, with exciting matchups on the horizon. As Haney grapples with the aftermath of his defeat and looks towards the future, the boxing world waits in anticipation to see how he will rise from the ashes and reclaim his status as a formidable force in the ring.