He has hinted in tweets that he is taking some time off from boxing. Nonetheless, there are many questions about what Devin Haney is going to do now. The Ryan Garcia saga is gradually drawing nearer conclusions, if that could be said.

The former undisputed lightweight champion retains his WBC light welterweight title. So what could be the right course of action for the 25-year-old? For one, he can go ahead and chase down the remaining title holders in the weight class. But a former world champion Haney had defeated in the past seems to have a different take, though it may not be for all the good reasons.

The fight on April 20 ended with Ryan Garcia being declared the winner by a majority decision. To most fans, Haney’s technical moves withheld the Californian for some time. But they ultimately proved ineffective against the latter’s deadly left hooks. There remains a potent argument about ‘KingRy’ entering three pounds heavier and other factors. Nevertheless, to many fans, the fight seemingly exposed the chink in ‘The Dream’s armor. So what should be an adept move for him before the next fight?

The Division (Alarm) Bell for Devin Haney

Jorge Linares says he should go back to his class from where he graduated, the 135 lbs. A reporter from YSM Sports Media had actually asked the Venezuelan-born ‘El Niño de Oro’ for his views on Ryan Garcia’s suspension, the April 20 fight declared a no-contest, and the whole PED issue.

Jorge Linares says Devin Haney should move back down to 135:

“Haney I honestly think he should come down. He needs to come to 135 it’s for the best. So many boxers at 140 punch harder than him and he don’t have a chin. Ryan Garcia has a better chin and a better punch and Haney… pic.twitter.com/Td5VYoXSpd

— NUKE 🥊 (@NukeUndisputed) July 1, 2024

Linares first expressed his dissatisfaction with the new lot of boxers. Why? Because of their unwillingness to put up with some hard work and their uneasiness with sacrifices. “The new generation they don’t thinking too much to make the way to make the sacrifice. You know, boxing is different right now than before, so but that situation with Ryan Garcia, what I can say that’s not no professional, you know, doping-weighing,” he said.

Then he picked up Devin Haney’s case. According to the retired boxer, who made his debut in Japan and speaks fluent Japanese, ‘The Dream’ should move down to the lightweight division. According to him, the attempt to find his fortunes at the light welterweight might prove a bit costly since the other champions at 140 pounds come off heavy hitters.

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Jorge Linares explained, “He don’t have a chin. Ryan Garcia have better chin than Haney, and Ryan have punch, but Haney don’t have chin, don’t have chin and don’t have punch; that’s that’s different, different difficult situation for him right now.”

But wait a minute, didn’t he come over to light welterweight last year after conquering the lightweight division? That speaks a lot about his discipline, as the reporter seems to believe but Jorge Linares does not feel so.

Strategic Shift and End Up Facing Giants?

Once again, he took on the disappointing scenario with the new generation of boxers. ‘El Niño de Oro’ seemed grossly disappointed that they weren’t going along with the kind of sacrifice a situation like weight loss demands. Rather they would stay comfortably in the current weight class and wait for things to turn favorably to strike back. But the fact remains: Linares highlighted, “You need to make the sacrifice to lose weight, and when you make that sacrifice, you can have more chance to to to to win the fight.”

Then he went back to his career journey. From 136 pounds, he went down to fight in the 120-pound class. Then he jumped over to the lightweight. However, he paid a heavy price when he decided to try his luck at light welterweight. After the knockout win over Abner Cotto on September 29, 2018, Jorge Linares lost his next fight in the weight class to Pablo Cesar Cano on January 18, 2019. Subsequently, he moved back to lightweight.

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His reasons appear sound, but the question remains: will it be a wise decision for Devin Haney’s career? Doesn’t the lightweight division have one of the biggest faces of boxing, Gervonta Davis? So would he be willing to exchange jabs with the ‘Tank’? If yes, then it does make for a fantastic storyline. Then he might have to contend with Shakur Stevenson as well. Not to forget the emerging talent, William Zepeda. He has quite a few choices to play around with. But then, what will happen to the rematch with Ryan Garcia?

Do you agree with Jorge Linares’ suggestion? Please share your views with us in the comments below.