Can Devin Haney beat the top lightweights in the division? What now for Jorge Linares?

Devin Haney was combating two totally different battles on Saturday night time.

On one entrance, the 22-year-old light-weight champion was trying to defend his WBC belt towards Jorge Linares, a veteran former champion who nonetheless carries important respect within the sport. On the opposite, Haney wanted to indicate why he’s worthy of a bout towards a number of the different huge names within the 135-pound division.

Haney achieved no less than a type of issues. He defeated Linares through unanimous resolution to stay undefeated and keep in rivalry for an enormous struggle towards one other prime title within the division.

However was Haney’s efficiency sufficient to enhance the long-term trajectory of his profession?

Let’s break down what’s subsequent for Haney and Linares after their bout in Las Vegas.

Who ought to Haney struggle subsequent?

In an interview earlier than the struggle, Haney lamented that different prime lightweights weren’t essentially lining as much as face him. Haney additionally stated he shouldn’t should be the one convincing everyone he deserves a struggle towards a big-name opponent, as he holds the WBC belt and is ranked among the many prime 135-pound fighters.

Whereas Haney makes a good level, the counter argument heading into this struggle additionally was compelling. Haney has great technical prowess, however as a prizefighter, one might argue Haney was a high-risk, low-reward opponent for fighters akin to Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia or Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Nicely, on Saturday, Haney fought like he had one thing to show. He was keen to face in entrance of Linares and throw some huge punches — a noble technique that ended up costing Haney when he was caught with an enormous proper hand on the finish of the tenth spherical.

In that second, it was simple to empathize with Haney. He spent the entire night time doing what everybody wished him to do by taking the struggle on to Linares and never merely attempting to outmaneuver him. When Haney tangled with the danger that comes with that sort of struggle — and obtained defensive within the final two rounds — he was chastised for it.

Irrespective of the notion of Haney’s clench-filled end as he survived the ultimate two rounds, he did greater than sufficient to retain his belt and proved that he deserves a crack at an enormous title.

And why not Lopez? Lopez is going through George Kambosos Jr. in a compulsory title protection on June 19. Lopez, who has the opposite three main belts within the division, can face Haney and formally grow to be the undisputed champion, after which Lopez can do no matter he desires afterward.

It’s an enormous struggle that will generate loads of curiosity in boxing and would have the potential to be commercially profitable. It’s the kind of bout that would inform us rather a lot about Haney and Lopez transferring ahead.

Can Haney beat one of many “huge” lightweights?

The opposite prime names within the 135-pound division are well-known to most boxing followers — Lopez, Garcia, Lomachenko and Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Haney’s greatest flaw is his lack of energy towards good opponents. He didn’t seem to considerably harm Linares and didn’t knock down a light Yuriorkis Gamboa of their struggle final 12 months.

But, Haney remains to be so quick and technically sound that it’s unattainable to rule him out towards the highest fighters within the division. Outdoors of Lomachenko, Haney is arguably one of the best pure boxer amongst all of the lightweights. Haney confirmed that he can stick and transfer and commerce pictures when he feels prefer it, and he can nearly effortlessly win rounds. The large query, as we noticed towards Linares, is that if whether or not Haney can stand up to the large punch and have the required energy to be efficient on the highest stage.

What ought to Linares do now?

This isn’t a simple query to reply. It’s exhausting to say Linares ought to name it quits after the way in which he rallied within the closing three rounds towards Haney. Nevertheless, if somebody seemed on the complete physique of labor, Linares was clearly outpointed and outgunned by somebody who was a lot sooner and sharper.

And proper now, what’s on the market for Linares? He was ESPN’s No. 7 light-weight getting into Saturday night time, a rating that appears honest after the Haney struggle. It’s exhausting to see Linares, who will flip 36 in August, beating any of the present champions.

However he’s nonetheless adequate that he deserves no less than yet one more payday towards a high quality opponent. A possible Lomachenko rematch isn’t a nasty choice if Lomachenko beats Masayoshi Nakatani, offered Lomachenko is searching for another person to beat earlier than combating for a world title once more. Or if Linares desires to exit on a win, he might face one of many many mid-tier lightweights who’ve a reputation, akin to Nakatani, Richard Commey and Javier Fortuna. No matter stays of Linares’ profession remains to be sufficient to make for an thrilling struggle.