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New vs old? Devin Haney fights Jorge Linares this Saturday

Haney and Linares are admirable, classy boxers.

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Devin-Haney-vs-Jorge-Linares-May-29
Devin-Haney-vs-Jorge-Linares-May-29

Particulars: Saturday, May 29, 2021, from ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Las Vegas, Nevada it’s Devin “The Dream” Haney vs. Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares, Lightweights.

 

Background: As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, the first time I saw Linares fight I was in awe. He was just 22, and on the undercard of Pavlik vs. Taylor. He seemed to have perfect fundamentals and marvelous speed and athleticism. Linares is not chinny which I take to mean, “weak chin.” The fly in the ointment for this standout is that he manages to get caught on occasion. He’s been kayoed five times in five losses.

 

Normally such numbers would earn Linares a “so-so” reputation at world level from your humble scribe. Such is not the case. Linares is a former title holder (real titles not alphabet malarkey) at multiple weights.

Linares is JUST south of absolute world-beater level. The best example I can think of is his loss to a near prime Lomachenko. He had Loma down, who got up a bit later and kayoed the super-classy Venezuelan on a body shot.

 

Linares is a super good dude; intelligent, and as everyone knows, left home at 17 to work with a Japanese promotional company.

 

Scouting report: Even at 35, Linares may possess strident athleticism. He has eons of experience and knows the game inside out. Unluckily for him, and not because of lapses, the “geometry of boxing” means he’s occasionally very vulnerable. No self-doubt issues like Andy Ruiz, no erratic performances. It’s geometry, stupid. It wasn’t fixable as a 22-year-old prodigy and it’s not fixable now.

 

Haney: Haney went back and forth with Ryan Garcia on Twitter as he did with Tank Davis. Not to be outdone, Garcia jawed with Davis and Haney with whom he split six amateur fights, 3-3.

 

Fans wanted to see some permutation at some weight... for some prize... to separate these three super talented young dudes. And then there was Covid-19. Frankly, even before, Davis often seemed content to jaw and not fight - more so than Garcia or Haney.

 

Now, Garcia is out for mental health reasons.

 

Davis? Oh, nothing much besides he may never box again. The recent ‘hitting’ he did cost him fourteen criminal counts when his Lamborghini ran a red and hit another car, injuring four. More math: He’s looking at seven. Years. Still Davis is scheduled to fight next month. Oh boxing.

 

Haney and Linares are admirable, classy boxers who don’t have mental health issues and don’t run red lights. Haney and Linares prefer fights in rings to social media and idiotic behavior and are grateful for the incredible riches a boxing career can bring.

 

Fighter’s Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

 

Devin Haney: B- B- B B A B B (Average of all) B (3.1)

 

Jorge Linares: B+ B- B B- C- B A (Average of all) B- (2.9)

 

Reality Check: In my view, Haney doesn’t exhibit extraordinary athleticism or talent. He does feint very well. His defense is solid. But his MO is to get opponents at the end of his blows, which means he too is at the end of his opponent’s blows. Unless your name is “Muhammad Ali, 1966” this ain’t the preferred space for a boxer to be.

 

But this poor positioning - hasn’t yet cost young Devin. Also, Haney is very much a 1-2 guy, though he throws most of the punches: jab, hook, cross, right uppercut, left uppercut.

 

Haney’s best attributes are one, he is very, very serious about boxing at a young age. And two, for me anyway, it’s an attribute - he’s a good sportsman and human being. Being level-headed at 22 in something as dangerous as boxing says a lot.

 

Linares on the other hand is or was a prodigal talent. He has every punch in the box down pat and is incredibly quick with counters. Just ask Luke Campbell. He’s usually one step ahead of the incoming from his opponent and well... his anticipation and return fire, beating his opponent to the punch by miles, is awesome.

 

Sometimes the maxboxing.com family has inside dope. I do not have inside dope on this fight! Has Linares aged overnight?

 

Yes. I believe he has. He says he will win not simply because he’s the better fighter, but because Haney lacks experience.

 

When fighters say this - it usually means they’re falling apart. Which is a shame because I’d hate to see Linares in the game a millisecond too long.

 

Fight and Prediction: Eddie Hearn is no fool. He seeks out every single advantage. If he staged pillow fights, he’d know the exact thickness of pillow cases. Hearn misses no tricks. He would not have matched rising Haney with Linares otherwise.

 

The Linares that dropped Lomachenko would be just too much for Haney. My guess is Linares is past it.

 

The King is dead. Long live the king.

 

Devin Haney TKO Jorge Linares, 9-10.

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