The aftermath of Devin Haney’s bout with Vasiliy Lomachenko last month was marked by uncertainty. Despite retaining his undisputed lightweight crown, Haney’s swollen lip and bruised face indicated the tough fight he’d just come through. Little did he know, though, that Jamaine Ortiz, a highly-ranked contender, was attentively observing from the sidelines, considering his own potential showdown with Haney.
Ortiz, who once shared the ring with Lomachenko, made comparisons between the Haney he observed now and the Haney he analyzed years ago. Contrary to those claiming Haney was essentially exposed during the recent fight, Ortiz argues that Haney has always been a fighter with flaws. Ortiz claimed, “I been seeing things that I can capitalize on five years ago on Devin Haney. Ain’t nothing changed for me.”
With his focus on the lightweight division, Ortiz is now preparing to face Humberto Galindo in an attempt to position himself for a world title shot against Haney. He’s confident, suggesting that he's different from Haney’s previous opponents who failed to secure a victory. The lightweight division brims with talent including the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis, and Frank Martin, but Ortiz feels Haney would be the most feasible challenge for him. “I would say that Devin Haney is the easiest for me. Styles make fights. He’s a great fighter but I’m just gonna be better.”
Image Credit: DAZN