Haney Gets Opponent and Criticizes Matchroom

According to American insider and journalist Dan Rafael, the promotional company Top Rank has won the bid for the title fight between WBC super lightweight champion (up to 63.5 kg) Devin Haney (31-1, 15 KOs) and Spanish contender Sandor Martin (42-3, 15 KOs). The purse distribution will be 70-30 in favor of Haney, with 10% of Top Rank's bid traditionally going to the WBC.

Haney immediately reacted to the news: "Wow, Matchroom… Poor job," Haney tweeted.

Shortly after, the head of Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, responded to Haney, stating that the fight is commercially unattractive.

"We don't have a contract with Devin. This is not an appealing fight; it's not the type of fight that motivates DAZN. It has no value. Haney is a free agent and has his own promotional company," Hearn told Ariel Helwani.

The fact is, Devin has recently been managed by Matchroom. However, no one besides Top Rank participated in the bidding.

It was also reported that Top Rank will pay $2.42 million for the fight. Therefore, the WBC will receive $242,000, Haney will be guaranteed a purse of $1,524,600, and Martin will receive $653,400 in net earnings.

One of Top Rank's executives, Carl Moretti, explained to Dan Rafael why no one else participated in the bidding: "I understand why Matchroom didn't bid. Eddie Hearn told me he doesn't like the fight. I don't understand why Devin Haney Promotions didn't bid, as they are also promoters," Moretti said.

The date for the title showdown has not been set yet and will be officially announced later.

In his previous fight, Devin Haney suffered the first loss of his career to Ryan Garcia. However, Haney didn't lose his title because Garcia failed to make weight. Later, Garcia also failed doping tests, so the result of the fight might be overturned.

Sandor Martin has not lost since 2022 when he dropped a decision to Teofimo Lopez. Since then, he has defeated two opponents, both by knockout.