Devin Haney recently hinted on social media about his interest in a unification match against WBA 140-lb champion Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz, directing his message to Turki Alalshikh. However, it remains uncertain if Alalshikh will accommodate Haney's request, given that Cruz is already scheduled to defend his WBA belt against Jose 'Rayo' Valenzuela on August 3rd at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Haney's recent performance raises questions about the feasibility of this unification match. After suffering a loss to Ryan Garcia, where he was dropped a few times, Haney needs to redeem himself before considering a bout with Cruz. Currently, Haney has a mandatory WBC title defense against Sandor Martin. Unless Haney offers Martin a step-aside deal, he will have to fight him next, as Martin was already put on hold for the Garcia fight.
Given Haney's last performance, fans might be skeptical about a potential fight with Pitbull Cruz. It might be more prudent for Haney to rebuild his confidence by facing less formidable opponents before taking on a power puncher like Cruz. Additionally, concerns about Haney's tendency to hold excessively during fights need to be addressed to ensure fair competition.
If a Haney-Cruz fight does happen, having a strict referee to control Haney's holding would be crucial. In his fight against Ryan Garcia, Haney's excessive holding went unpunished, potentially altering the fight's outcome. Ensuring that the fight is conducted fairly will be key to maintaining the integrity of the match.
Moreover, for the fight to be fair, there should be a 10-lb rehydration rule implemented, similar to the IBF's policy. This would ensure that the smaller Pitbull Cruz, standing at 5'4", does not face a significant weight disadvantage against the 5'8" Haney, who could rehydrate to the mid-160s. Implementing such a rule would help maintain an even playing field for both fighters.
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