With Jorge Linares officially set to challenge Devin Haney for the WBC lightweight title May 29 on DAZN, the Venzuelan veteran and three-division titlist Linares (47-5, 29 KO) says he’ll show he’s still a major player at lightweight.
“This is my moment to show the world that I still have a lot more to give at 135 pounds,” said Linares. “Devin Haney is a talented and quick-handed young man, but when I was his age, I had already become a world champion by snatching the title away from a real world champion like Oscar Larios. And now you can imagine how much more experience I have now at an age where I feel stronger and better than ever.”
Haney (25-0, 15 KO) will be taking a legitimate step up in competition here, as the 22-year-old has yet to face anyone really considered near the top 10 at lightweight, and Linares, at 35, is still seen as that sort of fighter.
Linares believes he’ll be a step too far, too soon for the American.
“Without a doubt it will be a tremendous fight, but I will demonstrate that Haney made a big mistake by accepting a challenge that he is still not ready to overcome,” he said.
Haney-Linares will be held in Las Vegas, with undercard fights still to be announced.