Devin Haney’s Lightweight Chess Game
On June 5, 2022, Devin Haney defeated George Kambosos Jr. by unanimous decision in Melbourne, Australia, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion.
Devin Haney built his name on control: a quick jab, measured footwork and the patience to make opponents chase him. That craft carried him from a disputed first step toward the WBC lightweight title to undisputed champion at 135 pounds. Years later, after a chaotic night against Ryan Garcia and a move through two new divisions, Haney found another route back to a world title.
The road to undisputed
In September 2019, Haney won the WBC interim lightweight belt when Zaur Abdullaev’s corner stopped the fight after four rounds (DAZN fight report). The organization elevated him to full champion a month later, after Vasiliy Lomachenko received its “Franchise” designation. Haney’s defining run came in Australia: he beat George Kambosos Jr. by unanimous decision in June 2022 to gather the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO titles, then won their rematch four months later. A close unanimous-decision victory over Lomachenko in May 2023 completed his lightweight reign with a debated defense, but the official result stood.
A setback, then a third division
Haney moved up to super lightweight and made a statement in December 2023, outpointing Regis Prograis to win the WBC title. His next fight, with Garcia, turned into a bewildering reversal. Garcia scored three knockdowns and was first awarded a majority-decision win in April 2024, but he had missed weight and could not claim Haney’s belt. After Garcia tested positive for a banned substance, the New York commission changed the result to a no contest. Haney’s record returned to unbeaten; the WBC later placed him on champion-in-recess status at 140 pounds.
Haney returned at welterweight in 2025 and defeated Brian Norman Jr. by unanimous decision to win the WBO title, becoming a champion in a third division (WBO title report). His path has had disputed decisions and an unusual official reversal, yet his central strength remains the same: technical discipline that lets him reset and build again. Read more in our boxing archive.
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Devin Haney, Boxing, Boxing History, Championship Fights
