Two of boxing's biggest names are set to make their respective 2020 debuts when Devin Haney defends the WBC lightweight title against Yuriorkis Gamboa on Saturday, Nov. 7, and two-time middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs takes on Gabriel Rosado in super middleweight action on Saturday, Nov. 21. Bouts cards take place from the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, live on DAZN.
Haney (24-0 15 KOs) steps back into the ring for the first time since November 2019 when he defeated Alfredo Santiago to defend his championship for the first time successfully. Following the fight, Haney went on to have successful right shoulder surgery. Haney had targeted Adrien Broner and Gary Russell Jr. for his return, but Gamboa was the one willing to step up to the plate and challenge the 21-year-old rising star. Haney realizes what Gamboa brings to the table and plans to take out all the big names until he's recognized as the best lightweight in the world.
“Yuriokis Gamboa is a dangerous and experienced fighter,” Haney said in a press release. “He’s a former unified world champion, and he has been in the ring with some of the best. He hurt Terence Crawford with a big shot, so his power is not to be ignored. He beat Orlando Salido who beat Vasiliy Lomachenko. Less than a year ago he took Gervonta Davis into the 12th round, something no one has ever been able to do. Gamboa is a true warrior and I’m not taking him lightly. I’ve called out all the top names, and I finally got someone who will challenge me for my title. I intend on making a statement in this fight. My hunger is on another level. It’s time to show the world who the best fighter in boxing is and that’s me!”
Gamboa (30-3 18 KOs) will be the highest-profile opponent of Haney's career. The Cuban is a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, a former unified featherweight champion, and has taken on some of the premier names in boxing, having faced Crawford and Davis. In his last time out, Gamboa lost by 12th-round TKO to Davis in December. But in the early part of the bout, Gamboa suffered an Achilles tear and fought bravely until the very end. After the fight, Gamboa underwent surgery to repair the injury. Gamboa is getting his third opportunity to become a two-weight world champion and knows this could be the final time he gets a crack at the gold.
“I'm extremely thankful to God for allowing this fight to happen and for the miracle of healing my Achilles,” Gamboa said. “I've been dreaming and wishing of fighting for the WBC Green Belt ever since I was an amateur in Cuba. I'm ready and determined to win this title for my fans and to prove those who wrote me off as a washed-up fighter wrong. I came up short against Davis because of my Achilles in the second round, but I fought the rest of the fight on one foot, hurting him in the middle rounds. You are going to see a healthy Gamboa fight with both of my legs, fists and warrior heart of mine. With God's blessings I will come out victorious Nov. 7.”
The Jacobs-Rosado battle is nearly one year in the making.
Back in December, Jacobs and Rosado were on the same fight card. Jacobs was preparing to headline against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., while Rosado took on Humberto Gutierrez Ochoa on the undercard.
There was an agreement in place that if Chavez had been unable to face Jacobs due to the issues from a failed drug test in Nevada, then Rosado would get moved up to battle Jacobs. Their respective bouts went on as scheduled, but Jacobs and Rosado got into a heated confrontation during the weigh-ins. The war of words has continued, and now the score will be settled with their fists.
Jacobs (36-3 30 KOs) had a successful 168-pound debut, easily dispatching Chavez when he made the son of Julio Cesar Chavez quit on his stool before the beginning of the sixth round. "The Miracle Man" wants to quiet Rosado as he looks to continue the journey of becoming a two-division titleholder.
"Gabe talked his way into this fight, and now it's time to see if he can back it up," Jacobs said. "He's got a big mouth, and he's been bringing up my name constantly for over a year — but on November 27, the talking stops, and I can't wait to shut him up.
"My aim is to become a two-weight division world champion in 2021, and that starts with a big win in Florida. After that, I'm ready to step up and fight one of the world champions at 168 pounds."
Rosado (25-12-1 14 KOs) is a two-time middleweight title challenger, coming up short against Gennadiy Golovkin and Peter Quillin. On that same December show as Jacobs, Rosado beat Ochoa via unanimous decision. The Jacobs fight means a lot to Rosado, who looks to make one final run at securing a world title shot before he hangs up the gloves.
“I’m really excited for the fight,” said Rosado. “There’s been a lot of back and forth between me and Jacobs, and for the fight to finally happen, I’m more than ready. I’ve started training camp with Freddie Roach in LA at Wild Card Boxing, and I’m just looking to put on one hell of a show for the fans. I’m definitely going to bring the fight to Danny and it’s going to be great.”