Devin Haney vs. Joseph Diaz Jr .: Match Prediction, Card, Odds, Expert Selection, Preview, Start Time

For Devin Haney’s defense of the undefeated title in May, in a fight against former two-division champion Jorge Linares, the WBC lightweight champion seemed to have only the future of the 135-pound division.

Then misfortune struck. Haney was shaken in the 10th round and went through the rest of the competition in full damage control, holding on for free and moving away from the contact unanimously on his way to winning the decision.

Haney (26-0, 15 KOs), a 23-year-old Las Vegas phenomenon, as he returns to the nearby MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, the stakes can’t be higher considering the latest events in the division (20:00 ET, DAZN – subscribe now). Haney wears his WBC belt to Joseph Diaz Jr. If (32-1-1, 15 KOs) were to defend against the incumbent and former two-division champion, the next indisputable King George Cambosos Jr.

Kanbosos, who has just emerged from Teofimo Lopez Jr.’s exciting move to the WBA, WBO and IBF titles last weekend, has named Haney as his main contender for the next fight and hopes to hold the event in front of 80,000 fans in a stadium. in his hometown, Australia.

Before making any contracts, of course, Haney will have to deal with the business at hand. And luckily for fans, 29-year-old Diaz, an aggressive Southern California native, will try to find out firsthand whether Haney’s hiccup against Linares was just an aberration or a preview of something to come.

“I’m going to get out there and do what I need to do to be victorious, no matter what it takes,” Diaz said. “If he wants to try boxing, I’ll hunt his ass. If he wants to come and hit me, I’ll hit him too. Anything he wants to bring to the table, I’ll bring it.”

Haney will have a two-inch height and a seven-inch advantage when he touches both gloves, but he also hopes to be a faster, smarter and stronger fighter between the two. That’s why Haney has been placed as high as the 7-1 favorite despite Diaz’s strong resume.

“I can’t wait to show that JoJo Diaz can be a dog, but ultimately the skills pay off the bills,” Haney said. “If that’s his only approach that’s going to throw me a dog, well, I’m watching my whole career. If that’s his plan A and he lets me dog him, it’s going to be a long night.” ”

Diaz has spent much of the ascent trying to get into Haney’s head by questioning his opponent’s confidence. He has also worked hard to inform anyone who is listening that he is a better boxer than his reputation for being aggressive indicates.

After the defeat of Diaz’s lone professional, the loss of Gary Russell Jr.’s decision in the 2018 featherweight title fight marked the beginning of an undefeated streak of eight fights. Diaz won 4-0 after climbing 130 pounds, beating Tevin Farmer in 2020 to catch the IBF junior lightweight belt.

But part of the light weight was a higher movement that made Diaz feel the best he had ever felt from a physical point of view, which only increased his confidence as a very round fighter.

“I feel like I’m about to weigh 135 pounds. I’m very, very dangerous at this weight,” Diaz said. “Devin Haney is a great fighter, don’t get me wrong, he has great tools and great boxing skills, but so am I. I’m a 2012 Olympian, I’m a two-story champion. I’ve fought a lot of guys with professional experience.”

Despite surviving against Linares, Haney has struggled to get his young lightweight star into the ring, including undefeated Ryan Garcia, who has faced him with six different seasons as an amateur.

Haney has shown respect to Diaz for fighting him, but he believes it will be a fight that will be anything but competitive.

“I feel like his style will suit me, there’s nothing he can do to win,” Haney said. “He can’t get me out, I’ll show him he can’t hit. I have a size advantage, all the tools to win.”

Fighting card, odds

• Devin Haney (c) -700 vs. Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. +500, WBC lightweight title
• Montana Love -1500 vs Carlos Diaz +850, super light
• Jessica McCaskill (c) -2000 vs. Kandi Wyatt +1000, super lightweight for women
• Filip Hrgovic -8000 vs. Emir Ahmatovic +2200, heavyweight

Forecast

Because of all the talk about Haney’s chin, it might be too long and skillful for Diaz to find out.

Diaz has proven in several divisions that he is a double-threat fighter who can confuse and box when needed. But Haney’s excellent skill seems to be on another level.

I hope Diaz tries to change the attack from the outside. But in the end, he will have to move on and then Haney will be caught in the most dangerous.

As Diaz feels comfortable at 135 pounds from a physical point of view, he is not a big hit and will need to have a shot to get rid of the grief.

Choose: Haney via UD12