LAS VEGAS – Devin Haney wants to remain in the lightweight division beyond Saturday night because he realizes that’s where more “money fights” can be made against Shakur Stevenson and/or Gervonta Davis.
Haney has been encouraged about that possibility because he feels better than he has prior to past fights as the day nears when he’ll have to squeeze down to 135 pounds. The undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion spoke to a small group of reporters after his “grand arrival” Tuesday at MGM Grand about how working with his nutritionist, James Lockwood, throughout this training camp has benefited him in advance of his showdown with Vasiliy Lomachenko.
“My weight is good,” Haney said. “I did everything right. I have a nutritionist for eight weeks this camp. Last camp I had him for four weeks. The first Kambosos fight I had him for six weeks. This camp I had him for eight weeks. I feel great. I feel strong. Man, I’m ready.”
The 24-year-old Haney only had access to Lockwood for half of his training camp for his rematch against Kambosos because Lockwood worked with Gennadiy Golovkin for his third fight with Canelo Alvarez all of last August and for half of September.
“That’s why I only had him for four weeks,” Haney said. “But for my whole career, early fights I couldn’t afford it, obviously. But when I started making big money I wish I had hired a nutritionist because it’s just so much help. I feel so much stronger and just better.”
His fight against Lomachenko will be the 12th straight fight for which Haney has to weigh in at a maximum of 135 pounds. Though some of his earlier bouts were contracted above the lightweight limit, the 5-foot-8 Haney has campaigned as a lightweight since he made his pro debut in December 2015.
“Everybody knows how hard it is for me to stay at 135,” Haney said. “So far, this has been the best my weight has been up until this point to the fight. And I feel great.”
Haney is of course confident that will beat Lomachenko in their 12-round fight for his IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO lightweight titles at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Another win, particularly against his most accomplished opponent, would provide plenty of incentive to remain a lightweight. Haney isn’t sure, however, if his next fight will be contested within the 135-pound division.
“My main focus is going in there and looking good, being victorious, and then we’ll see,” Haney said. “You know, I’ve gotta see how I feel under those lights. Right now, I feel great in the gym, I feel great working out, strong, just chilling. I don’t have to do too much [extra] training, too much overwork, but we gotta see how I feel in the ring.”
Most sportsbooks have made Haney (29-0, 15 KOs), of Henderson, Nevada, more than a 2-1 favorite to beat Ukraine’s Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs).
Their fight is the main event of an ESPN Pay-Per-View show scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. EDT and 7 p.m. PDT. This three-bout broadcast costs $59.99 and can be purchased through ESPN+ or numerous cable and satellite providers.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.