LAS VEGAS — Devin Haney takes another step up in competition on Saturday when he puts his WBC lightweight title against JoJo Diaz from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Haney returns after coming through the toughest test of his career with Jorge Linares at the end of May. Linares rocked Haney at the end of the tenth round. But "The Dream" survived the round and went on to win via unanimous decision. Diaz made a successful debut at 135 pounds in July, defeating perennial contender Javier Fortuna by unanimous decision.
Before they step inside the ring, Haney and Diaz met on Thursday at their pre-fight press conference. The presser ended with Haney and Diaz facing off. Neither guy gave an inch as they went nose-to-nose. A member of Diaz's team kept trying to get Diaz to walk away but to no avail. Haney and Diaz kept chirping at one another until they were pulled away.
It had been a cordial presser between the top lightweight fighters, but things started getting heated when Haney and Diaz were given the microphone to say a few words. Haney perked up when Diaz said he wants to beat the s— out of out Haney and take his 'soul.'
When given the stick, Haney let the challenger know that he knows what Diaz is going to do once they step inside the ring.
"Me and my team know JoJo better than his own coach and dad," Haney said at the presser.
Here is what happened at the Devin Haney vs. Jo Jo Diaz press conference.
Haney returns after coming through the toughest test of his career with Jorge Linares at the end of May. Linares rocked Haney at the end of the tenth round. But "The Dream" survived the round and went on to win via unanimous decision. Diaz made a successful debut at 135 pounds in July, defeating perennial contender Javier Fortuna by unanimous decision.
Before they step inside the ring, Haney and Diaz met on Thursday at their pre-fight press conference. The presser ended with Haney and Diaz facing off. Neither guy gave an inch as they went nose-to-nose. A member of Diaz's team kept trying to get Diaz to walk away but to no avail. Haney and Diaz kept chirping at one another until they were pulled away.
It had been a cordial presser between the top lightweight fighters, but things started getting heated when Haney and Diaz were given the microphone to say a few words. Haney perked up when Diaz said he wants to beat the s— out of out Haney and take his 'soul.'
When given the stick, Haney let the challenger know that he knows what Diaz is going to do once they step inside the ring.
"Me and my team know JoJo better than his own coach and dad," Haney said at the presser.
Here is what happened at the Devin Haney vs. Jo Jo Diaz press conference.