LAS VEGAS – Jorge Linares used to be as soon as the place Devin Haney is now one of the crucial brightest possibilities within the sport. He would develop into a global champion used to be a given; Much extra used to be anticipated from him.
He used to be speedy, he used to be robust and he used to be a really perfect puncher. He began his occupation 27–0 and gained championships in 3 weight classes.
On Saturday (8 p.m. ET, DAZN), he’s going to meet Honey on the Michelob Ultra Arena for Honey’s WBC Lightweight Championship. His occupation since a 27-0 get started presentations the risk of anticipating an excessive amount of from a tender boy.
He’s been excellent ever since; Many instances, superb. He has neither develop into a famous person nor has he were given a decisive victory in his occupation. Maybe it used to be a win over Luke Campbell, or a win over Rocky Juarez in 2010, or an try to win the featherweight identify over Oscar Larios in 2007.
Haney’s aggregate of hand pace and timing has enabled him to outmaneuver many fighters. That’s why 15 of his 25 victories are knockouts, even though Linares may not be beaten by way of it. He has an concept of what he is in for as a result of he is had a struggle with Honey, however he is been there lengthy sufficient that he is noticed the entirety.
he simply by no means been He’s fought in any magnificence, and he is undoubtedly no longer going to be a lightweight man, the place along with Haney, Teofimo López, Gervonta Davis, and Ryan García additionally compete.
But Linares, regardless of going nearly 10-1 on Saturday, is excellent sufficient to win the bout if all is going neatly. And he is aware of it and is satisfied that issues will occur. Promoter Eddie Hearn sought after a tricky check for Honey and Linares insisted he discovered one.
“It’s a big fight and a new challenge for me,” Linares stated. “I have a lot of respect for Devin. He’s a young boy, a world champion, but on Saturday the honor goes, and I’m up for an amazing fight, and I hope he’s ready too. He Knows what he’s fighting – four-time world champion. I have a lot of experience and that’s the most important thing in this fight to win. He doesn’t have that. He has talent, he has youth and hunger. and belt.
“The fight with me is a different level. I can show a lot of styles, I’m naturally quick and strong, I don’t have a lot of KOs, but he knows I can punch. I think he will run all night, but I will wait for him, I will follow him. If he wants to fight from inside, I am ready for him. They are going to be in big trouble on Saturday night. He knows I can do everything and he knows I have time to let him down.”
Everyone knows about honey timing. He has lightning-fast hands, probably faster than anyone on this side of Gary Russell Jr., and yet he pooh-poohed him. The important thing for timing is timing.
It’s setting up a shot and throwing it at just the right time, not just using a quick quick shot.
“Timing is most important,” Haney said.
Haney’s combination of hand speed and timing has enabled him to outmaneuver many opponents. That is why 15 of his 25 victories are knockouts, however, Linares will not be overwhelmed by this. He has an idea of what he is in for as he has had a fight with Honey, but it has been long enough that he has seen everything there.
Linares knows how to win and this is his biggest hope, that he will somehow find a way to neutralize the many material advantages that Honey has and do something to impress the judges.
“I know his style,” Linares said. “I trained with him a long time ago in Vegas and we had some splurge. Then he was a kid! But he is the champion now and I hope he is ready for a tough fight.
A win would undoubtedly be the biggest win of Linares’ career and would increase his odds of being elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
When he sees Haney across the ring on Saturday, he’ll have flashbacks to the early days of his career, when hype and potential suggested he would be one of the sport’s special stars.
He hasn’t reached that level, but even at 35, he’s a hungry, talented and smart guy who knows the game and what it takes to be successful.
“I don’t like to talk too much,” Linares said. “I don’t need to talk to get fans or followers or anything. I just need to go out and do my job and fight a bigger fight.”
If he does, it is going to remind the ones staring at why years in the past when Honey used to be only a child, he used to be so revered.
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