Top Rank has secured the purse bid to host the Devin Haney vs. Sandor Martin WBC 140-lb title fight with a winning bid of $2,420,000. This fight, set to be broadcast on ESPN, marks a pivotal moment in the lightweight division. However, Devin Haney has voiced dissatisfaction with Top Rank's offer, suggesting he might have considered bidding himself, reflecting his frustration with the financial terms.
Devin Haney finds himself in a less glamorous position compared to his last high-profile bout against Ryan Garcia, which brought substantial pay and widespread attention. The Garcia fight, featuring an opponent with 12 million Instagram followers, provided Haney with a significant payday. In contrast, the upcoming fight against Sandor Martin lacks the same star power and financial allure as Cinderella's return to a humble life after the ball.
Haney's previous pay-per-view match against Regis Prograis in December was notably unsuccessful, generating only 60,000 buys. This disappointing performance adds pressure on Haney to make strategic career decisions. He now faces the tough choice of either vacating his WBC title or risking it against Martin. A loss to Martin could severely impact Haney’s career trajectory and marketability.
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One potential strategy for Haney is to leverage his WBC title to secure a mandatory challenge against WBC 147-lb champion Mario Barrios. A fight with Barrios could be more marketable and potentially more winnable. Barrios, who has lost to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman, lacks significant punching power. Should Haney lose to Barrios, he could attribute the defeat to the jump in weight class.
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