Devin Haney has been mandated by the WBC to defend his light welterweight title against Sandor Martin, a challenge that presents significant risks and decisions for Haney. The purse bids for the Haney vs. Martin fight are set for June 18th. Amidst this scenario, questions arise about whether Haney and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, might try to sidestep this matchup by offering Martin a step-aside fee or seeking an exemption from the WBC to pursue a unification bout with one of the other three champions at 140 pounds.
The challenge with the Martin fight is that it might not draw significant pay-per-view numbers on DAZN, yet it poses a considerable threat to Haney's record. This fight holds minimal financial upside for Haney, increasing the stakes. Sandor Martin, while not known for a high knockout rate with only a 35.7% KO percentage, possesses enough power to be a serious threat. His right hook, in particular, could potentially finish what Ryan Garcia started. Recall that Martin put Teofimo Lopez on the canvas twice during their controversial 2022 bout, which demonstrates his capability to challenge top fighters effectively.
Furthermore, a loss to Martin could derail Haney's potential for high-profile rematches with Ryan Garcia or lucrative bouts with stars like Gervonta Davis. This makes the upcoming fight a critical crossroads in Haney’s career, especially following his recent majority decision loss to Garcia, where Haney was visibly troubled by Garcia's power, getting knocked down multiple times in the fight.
In his quest for redemption and a chance to prove his detractors wrong, Sandor Martin remains confident about his prospects. He has expressed his determination, stating to Mundo Deportivo:
"It is the first step for a chance I have waited for all my life. I know I'm not going to fail, I'm going to be a world champion and all I wish is that everything is going in its usual way to see my dream come true."
Martin previously demonstrated his prowess in 2021 by decisively beating Mikey Garcia, effectively ending Garcia's career with a 10-round majority decision.
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