Even though Devin Haney and Adrien Broner have been sparring back and forth over social media, the odds of them settling their issue inside the ring appears to be slim, as far as the former four-division world champion is concerned.
During a recent interview on Showtime Boxing host Brian Custer's podcast, "The Last Stand", Broner acknowledged the chatter. When the possibility of a future fight was brought up, Broner dismissed the idea of taking on the WBC lightweight champion. He feels for what he's accomplished in boxing, the risk isn't worth the reward of fighting the 21-year-old, who has become one of the rising stars in the sport.
"I don't need a Devin Haney," Broner told Custer. "Devin Haney needs Adrien Broner. I don't need a Devin Haney. I don't need no Devin Haney. Let's be honest, what do I get out of knocking out Devin Haney? Nothing. Everybody gonna be like, 'Hey, he was supposed to do that. He's bigger, faster, stronger. He just did what he was supposed to do.' I've got everything to lose against a Devin Haney. I've got nothing to win from that."
Haney is two inches taller than Broner but has never fought outside of 135 pounds.
Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs, 1 NC) hasn't competed at 135 pounds in over 7 1/2 years, when he captured the WBC title from Antonio DeMarco in November 2012 and subsequently defended the title against Gavin Rees in February 2013 before settling in at junior welterweight and welterweight.
The 31-year-old Broner is slated to return for the first time since a January 2019 loss to Manny Pacquiao sometime in the first month of 2021, with Ivan Redkach on the Cincinnati native's radar.
Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) last fought in November, beating Alfredo Santiago by unanimous decision. Afterward, Haney underwent shoulder surgery and has been on the shelf. He's expected to come back in the fall, but nothing has been announced.