Devin Haney survives Jorge Linares in the last round, winning the title to be lightweight

Throughout nearly 10 rounds on Saturday, WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney looked better than predicted in the biggest fight so far. But 22-year-old Jorge Linares, a three-time champion, was injured late and forced to survive prudently until the final whistle.

Facing crowd boos at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on the 12th overtime, Haney (26-0, 15 KOs) made the decision unanimously, which seemed to suggest a fight rather than a majority on the three judges ’governing boards.

Haney, in his third defense of the 135-pound WBC title (Teofimo Lopez Jr. is the WBC franchise champion), scored 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113. CBS Sports also won the fight for Haney, 117-111.

“I came in here and got the win and I’m happy,” Haney said. “I wanted the fans to be able to walk down the opponent and I showed everything. I could box and hit. He hit me with a late shot, but the first time I had a hard time and I survived. I didn’t fall and I didn’t get hurt [the crowd] he played crazy. “

Linares (47-6, 29 KOs) was a far cry from the difference between 215 and 116, according to the CompuBox, which started at the end of the 10th round until the rise. However, after entering a fantastic physical form at the age of 35, this story was not about his age or the wear and tear it caused.

Instead, it looks like it was a real exit party for Haney, after a couple of passive and boring victories in the last two fights against Alfredo Santiago and Yuriorkis Gamboa. Haney was aggressive and sharp without being irresponsible on defense, directing Linares ’body and adapting to regular veterans with a speed advantage.

Then, all of a sudden, all that changed in the closing seconds of the 10th day, when a beautiful combination of three holes made by Linares, which ended in a short cross on the right, returned Haney to his corner after the bell.

“It was a good shot,” Haney said. “They never hurt me and I still continued to make a smart box. You still have to keep doing what you can and I did that.”

Linares attacked Haney on the 11th day and appeared to hurt him twice more with short left hooks. When the crowd slowly started to boo, Haney forced a regular trick to put his legs under him, but Linares solidified his turn in favor of the break with a right-hand trio.

In the final bell, however, it appeared that Haney deserved the negative attention of the people. Despite being aggressive in opening the round, Haney held on exclusively for the final 90 seconds, including a sequence that separated Russell Mora from the clinch with Linares, with Linares only running from his waist again to run alone.

“[In Round 12], I followed the smart box and used my jab and feints. That’s what I kept doing, “Haney said.” I knew he would come in here and it was a great opportunity for him, so he would do whatever he needed to do. He fired big shots at me. “

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Haney was asked after the fight if he would be interested in the next unification fight against Lopez, as he has all four recognized titles in 135, after disturbing Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 (although the WBC recognized him as a franchise champion who mixed the waters). It’s hard to do politically, even if Haney has shown interest.

“Of course I want the biggest fights to happen,” Haney said. “If Teofimo Lopez is next, let’s do it. Let’s do it for all belts and for the unquestionable real.”