Devin Haney's challenge: Beat George Kambosos and convince the judges

“Me and my team are doing the best to make sure that there’s fair judging, neutral judges, " Devin Haney told Cigar Talk (via boxing scene) last April. 

Haney is right.

I saw a ripoff last year in London when Connor Hatton, son of former world champion Ricky, “lost” five of six rounds against virtual unknown Sammi Martinez. As I watched, I dreaded the predictable outcome. No way a Hatton could lose at home.

He got the decision by a point.

I let out a four-letter word. 

Even the pro-Hatton crowd booed.

Haney will be fighting WBA, IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titleholder George Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) this Saturday (Sunday in the United States) at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. 

Kambosos will be the hometown guy this Saturday. Everybody and his brother (and sister) will be supporting him against Haney (27-0, 15 KOs).  

The bigger question is the judges. 

“We gon’ make an even playing field,” said Haney. “That was all I demanded. I just want fair judges. I wanted nothing else.”

A few days ago, word came out that Haney’s team had secured three neutral judges for the bout. No Aussies or Yanks. 

In 2014, Mauricio Herrera traveled to Puerta Rico to face off against heavily favored (10-1) world champion Danny Garcia. In the best shape of his life and motivated to prove the naysayers wrong, Herrera frustrated the champion all night long. 

He fought intelligently, jabbed at the body consistently, and landed more punches. Garcia connected with the heavier shots, but Herrera controlled most of the fight, so it seemed.

Two judges had Garcia winning the bout by four points, while the third scored the fight a draw.

Showtime commentators Al Bernstein, Paulie Malignaggi, and Steve Farhood all had Herrera winning the bout. 

The crummy decision was hardly shocking. Garcia, debuting in Puerto Rico, had been serenaded for weeks leading up to the fight.

The hometown crowd cheered the reigning champions’ every move. 

In a perfect world, Herrera deserved to win the fight. But boxing is miles away from being perfect, especially in its judging.

Five years ago, Manny Pacquiao fought local Aussie hero Jeff Horn in Brisbane. The fight was a grueling affair. Horn was awarded the decision, even though Pacquiao knocked him from pillar to post in round nine. 

Most boxing insiders, including some former boxers, believed Pacquiao had done enough to deserve the verdict. 

No matter – it was Horn who celebrated. 

Kambosos deified the odds last December by upsetting Teofimo Lopez. He fought an extremely determined fight. Kambosos will be comfortable this Saturday, while Haney will be without his head trainer, his father (denied a visa), and fighting in front of a hostile crowd. Haney capitulated on virtually every demand team Kambosos made. 

He’s either foolhardy or extremely confident. 

I’ll go with the latter. 

Kambosos has gone all tough guy as fight day approaches. He called Haney a three-letter word during a recent press conference. 

“This guy is a rat,” said Kambosos. “Teofimo Lopez fought against a foreigner, he was messaging me. He was telling me all the details.”

Haney looked amused. 

“When is the act gonna stop,” Haney said. “We can see right through it. Just be you, that’s all you gotta do. Be you. You’re acting.”

So, who wins? 

Haney doesn’t hit very hard (he’s gone the distance in his last three fights) so I’m expecting the fight to go the limit. He’ll box and use angles and distance. He’s quicker and better technically. 

Kambosos will stalk and hope to rock. He’s edgy and loaded with heart. Stunning Haney a few times could be enough to sway the judges. 

I like Haney to win by a point or two.