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Boxing

Devin Haney prioritises Ryan Garcia fight, Teofimo Lopez Jr. next in line

Alexander Netherton
Devin Haney prioritises Ryan Garcia fight, Teofimo Lopez Jr. next in lineDAZN
WBC champion Devin Haney is hoping to fight Ryan Garcia, but will move onto Teofimo Lopez Jr. as his second choice.

Devin Haney is targeting a fight with Ryan Garcia, but has Teofimo Lopez Jr. in mind if he can’t get his first choice.

The 22-year-old fighter is currently unbeaten and holds the WBC lightweight title. Following Garcia’s win over Luke Campbell, the Californian youngster is Haney’s mandatory challenger.

Despite being entitled to challenge Haney for his belt, Garcia appears keen on making a fight with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, unofficially agreeing to a fight with the contender when he appeared on Mike Tyson’s podcast.

If Garcia elects to forego his shot at the title, he will instead consider a fight with Dominican Republic’s Javier Fortuna, and there could also be the chance to set up a fight with IBF, WBA and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez.

“Javier Fortuna is my second mandatory. Ryan Garcia is the first choice for me. If we can’t get him, we’ll go next in line,” Haney said to BoxingScene.com

“Whether it’s Teofimo for all of the belts or Javier Fortuna to satisfy my mandatory, if Ryan Garcia don’t want it we’re just going to keep moving down the line.

“If Fortuna doesn’t take the fight, we’ll keep looking for the best opponent to face. But I won’t let anyone slow down what I have in store for 2021.”

A fight with Lopez may not be on the cards any time soon, as he has been told to start talks with George Kambosos Jr. by the IBF, which means that Fortuna may be the only credible fight to take.

Haney, however, is keen to start collecting titles, with Lopez the clear choice if that is the aim.

“I want all the belts,” Haney said. “I’m very determined. That’s my main focus, to get all these belts by the end of 2021 no matter who I have to beat to get them.

“The goal I set for myself is to be the undisputed champion in 2021. I’m ready to fight anyone to make that happen.”