Jorge Linares was expected to be a stern test for Devin Haney, and the Venezuelan veteran lived up to his billing with a spirited display against the young WBC lightweight champion.
Using all his experience, Linares showed glimpses of his best and as the fight went longer, he found Haney’s exposed target with alarming ease.
A superb right hand at the end of round ten had Haney wobbling back to his corner, but Linares was not able to capitalise once the action resumed.
Wild attacks were plentiful in the fight’s last two sessions as Linares sensed he had Haney in trouble, but the Californian hung on to collect a points verdict at the end of a gruelling battle.
Linares, a battle-hardened competitor who’s used to the highest level thanks to a number of memorable battles, provided an honest assessment of his most recent conqueror in the fight’s aftermath.
“He was fast, but I didn’t feel his punch,” said Linares when speaking to Fight Hub TV in the minutes following his loss to Haney. “He only has good speed, but only that.
“His style was a little difficult because he’s always going back, back, back, and then clinch. I feel good. I told my team that I can come back more strong. Why not? The inactivity was a little more bad for me this time, but I feel fine, I feel good,”
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