According to his father and coach, Bill Haney, Devin Haney will have a chance to add another stripe to his collection this May.

The 27-year-old became a three-weight world champion last November, winning the WBO title in his welterweight debut against hard-hitting Brian Norman Jr.

Haney seems like a good fit for the 147-pound scene not only because of his natural size, but also because the division features a lot of substantial names and tough challenges – something the pound-for-pound star has taken on in recent years.

While the rematch with Ryan Garcia, who recently won the WBC title to make the unification happen, remains one of the biggest fights in boxing, Haney will instead be looking to win another belt before that happens.

Bill, talking to Fighting the noiseconfirmed that talks with Rolando Romero have ended.

“Devin’s gonna put it on his ass, May [30th]Las Vegas. You heard it from me.

“Rolly” Romero – who won the WBA regular belt last year by defeating Garcia and was promoted to full champion following the firing of Jaron Ennis – recently confirmed the same details but was not hopeful about making a deal.

It would be complex to argue that Romero is at the same skill level as Haney, but he brings power to the table and the intriguing factor of holding on to a victory over Garcia, whom he defeated once before earning a unanimous decision victory.

Although Haney warned fans that the triangle theory did not apply to boxing, he would be reminded in the build-up to the fight that while “Rolly” soundly defeated Garcia, Haney was knocked down by him three times. An important caveat is that Garcia will later fail a doping test and his victory will be invalidated.

Jazza Dickens lived in his van outside the arena where he will defend his world title this weekend.

The Briton had a long journey to the top, turning professional in 2011 before finally becoming world champion in 2025 when he was promoted from a momentary promotion.

Now he will be preparing for Saturday’s defense of the WBA junior lightweight belt against Anthony Cacaca from Belfast.

Dublin, where the fight will take place, is a city with which Dickens has sturdy connections, as he has lived there for several years, living in his van.

ESPN spoke to him before the title game.

What are your memories of living in Dublin and is it true that at one point you slept in your van outside the 3Arena?

“I lived there for a few years,” Dickens said. “I love this place so coming back to Dublin for a week of fights is exhilarating.

“The whole time I was in the van, I was there for three years, I went back and forth, but it lasted for three years. [in total].

“Every night was strenuous, but every morning was lovely because I got to go and meet people from Dublin, friends I made for life.”

You’re world champion now, but do you look back on those times fondly?

“Yes, there was another time when I was at the gym on Fifth Street [in Miami] With [Luis Perez] and Dino Spencer,” Dickens said.

“I stayed in hostels back then, so it’s really the same!

“I just love the grind. Sometimes, when I’m down a few pounds, I think, ‘I miss the good senior days.'”

Where does your positive attitude come from after everything you’ve been through?

“A mixture of things,” Dickens said. “I think it’s a very intricate answer because it’s all of these things and more, but I also have a lot of childhood trauma.

“So it’s just a mixture of everything. It’s the best life I would choose.”

“I am blessed every day to get up and continue to pursue my dreams as a boxer.”

It’s been such a long wait to win the world title, have you ever stopped and reflected on your journey?

“There has never been a stage of reflection in my life because I love it so much,” Dickens said.

“I’m still on this journey and I think it’s essential to be surrounded by love and a good team. I had the same family, friends and [partner] since I started, from the beginning of my professional path.

“I’m very blessed and lucky to have them. And I find out when you lose who loves you.”

Ryan Garcia’s father, Henry Garcia, believes his son still has the advantage in boxing’s biggest potential rematch, despite Devin Haney’s camp saying otherwise.

During a recent interview discussing the ongoing disputes surrounding Garcia and Haney’s sequel, Henry rejected the idea that Haney should control the terms of any deal. In his opinion, the deciding factor is straightforward: Ryan Garcia is still a warm ticket.

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Last updated: 13/03/2026 at 17:43