Flashy Devin Haney versus gritty JoJo Diaz: Who wins?

This Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV, Devin Haney and JoJo Diaz will throw hands.

Haney, 23, holder of the WBC lightweight title, is coming off a 12-round decision over Jorge Linares. Haney was sharp and precise in defeating former champion Linares last May. He was also wobbled and hurt in round 10 and looked vulnerable a couple of other times.

“I kind of fell asleep in there, “Haney said during an interview on Fight Hub Tv last week. “I got a little lax in there and Linares hit me with a good shot and woke me up.”

Diaz found that moment very interesting.

“He (Linares) had the opportunity in the world, but when he had Devin Haney hurt, man, he should have went in for the kill.”

Haney is undefeated in 26 fights - scoring 15 knockouts. His amateur career was a sparkling one. Haney turned professional at 17 - and marched up the ratings like a shooting star. Haney can box and punch. He’s very elusive and can fight backing up. Haney won his iffy belt in 2019 by outclassing Russian Zaur Abdullaev. He defeated Alfredo Santiago and former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Diaz, 29, is loaded with experience. He was undefeated when he fought super-talented Gary Russell Jr. in 2018. Diaz lost, no shame there, but fought well. A year later, Diaz, who had died his hair blonde, talked himself into a fight with Tevin Farmer. Underdog Diaz defeated Farmer to capture the IBF super featherweight title. He even fought differently – applying a more dogged and gritty style. Last June, a bloody Diaz (32-1-1, 15 KOs)outlasted Javier Fortuna over 12 rounds in Los Angeles. The baby-faced fighter had turned into one of the dead-end kids.

What changed him?

"I think it comes with experience and hard stuff I’ve been through inside and outside of the ring,” Diaz said via an email question last week.” I think it transformed me into a person that has to go and be a dog. Boxing is a tough sport. It’s really hard to get to the top. I learned I have to dig deep and risk it all every time I step inside that ring.”

Haney has acknowledged that Diaz is a good fighter, but he’s ready for whatever he’ll bring to the ring.

“I do feel like his style will be tailor-made for me, there’s nothing he can do to win,” Haney told DAZN last month. “He can’t outbox me, and I’ll show him he can’t out-bang me. I have the size advantage, all the tools to win.”

Haney is taller, faster, and younger. He’s favored by as much as 5-1, but Diaz is live.

I see the odds as closer, but Haney will likely win the fight by a late stoppage (cut) or decision.